In a bold and potentially transformative move ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab has announced the launch of a landmark universal healthcare initiative—the “Mukhya Mantri Sehat Bima Yojana”—which promises cashless health coverage of up to ₹10 lakh annually for every household in the state. With this scheme, Punjab becomes the first Indian state to extend comprehensive health insurance to all families, irrespective of income, geography, or social class, covering both urban and rural residents under a unified health guarantee.
Spearheaded by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and endorsed vigorously by AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal, the new health insurance program is being promoted as a crucial pillar of the “Rangla Punjab” vision. It not only reflects the party’s commitment to equitable public health but also strategically positions AAP as a frontrunner in delivering large-scale welfare reforms ahead of the political season.
The scheme, set to roll out within the next three months, has been allocated a substantial budget of ₹778 crore for the financial year 2025-26. Under this initiative, nearly three crore residents across 65 lakh families will receive access to cashless treatment for all medical conditions, spanning primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare services. Beneficiaries will be issued personalized Chief Minister Sehat Cards, which will ensure seamless access to treatment in both government and empaneled private hospitals.
While India’s national health protection program—Ayushman Bharat—currently offers ₹5 lakh coverage to eligible families, Punjab’s expanded version aims to deliver enhanced benefits. Currently, 45 lakh families in Punjab are covered under a mix of Ayushman Bharat and state schemes. With the new plan, the remaining 20 lakh families will now receive ₹10 lakh coverage, and existing beneficiaries will be provided an additional top-up of ₹5 lakh, effectively doubling their current benefits. The scheme will also extend to retired government employees and even to those seeking treatment outside the state, provided the hospitals are empaneled under Ayushman Bharat.
The scope of the Mukhya Mantri Sehat Bima Yojana goes beyond any of AAP’s previous healthcare policies, including the much-lauded Mohalla Clinics of Delhi, which, while innovative in providing localised primary care, lacked a comprehensive insurance component. Unlike Delhi’s limited model, Punjab’s health program is more robust—it covers free medicines, diagnostics, and also offers expansive cashless treatment in private hospitals, a facility that was not fully available to Delhi’s citizens.
The announcement has sparked a wave of optimism and political speculation. For AAP, this is more than just a healthcare initiative—it is a strategic electoral weapon. As the state gears up for the next legislative battle in 2027, the Mann-Kejriwal leadership is banking on this ambitious health plan to consolidate voter trust, especially among middle-class and economically vulnerable families. The timing, scope, and messaging around the scheme are carefully aligned to reshape public perception and strengthen AAP’s pro-welfare image across Punjab.
Social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), are already being used by party leaders to showcase the scheme’s benefits. Party posts highlight how every Punjabi will now be entitled to high-quality treatment without financial worry, calling it a “health revolution” and a major leap toward making Punjab a model state in public welfare.
This bold move has not only raised the bar for public health governance in India but has also intensified the political competition. Other states and parties will likely face mounting pressure to match or exceed what Punjab is offering under AAP. With the rollout of this scheme, Punjab’s political landscape may witness a significant shift as AAP positions itself as the only party delivering tangible governance at scale.
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