Patna: India’s Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), along with Bihar’s Mukhyamantri Jan Arogya Yojana, has been expanded to include treatment for liver failure and liver cancer for the first time, significantly widening the scope of publicly funded healthcare.
The expansion also introduces specialised services such as interventional radiology and palliative care, allowing patients with serious and complex illnesses to access advanced treatment options without major surgical procedures.
Officials from the State Health Security Committee said the scheme’s package rates had been revised upward by 30% to 35%, bringing reimbursements closer to actual treatment costs. The revision is expected to encourage greater participation from both public and private hospitals and improve the quality of care provided to beneficiaries.
Interventional radiology procedures will enable minimally invasive treatment for complex conditions, while the inclusion of palliative care aims to support patients with terminal or chronic illnesses through pain management, psychological support and improved quality of life. The move is seen as particularly beneficial for cancer patients and those in advanced stages of disease.
Bihar has emerged as one of the leading states in terms of coverage under the Ayushman Bharat programme. According to official data, around 1.65 crore families in the state are now enrolled, covering more than 4.13 crore eligible beneficiaries with Ayushman cards.
The scheme’s stated objective is to shield poor and vulnerable households from catastrophic health expenditure. Health officials said the inclusion of new diseases and higher reimbursement rates under the revised health benefit package would strengthen the programme’s effectiveness and ensure timely access to quality healthcare.
