The National Disability Network (NDN), a coalition advocating for people with disabilities, has urged the government to include persons with disabilities (PwD) in the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) without income and age restrictions. With healthcare costs pushing PwDs into poverty due to out-of-pocket expenses, NDN seeks to address this by advocating for comprehensive health coverage under the scheme.
PwDs face numerous financial burdens and lack access to sufficient healthcare insurance, as private and public coverage remains inadequate. Despite the recent expansion of the scheme to include senior citizens above 70, the exclusion of PwDs continues to leave a significant demographic vulnerable to medical debts and poverty.
NDN’s plea highlights the high cost of living with a disability in a country that still struggles with accessibility. The organization argues that including PwDs under the AB PM-JAY scheme would provide much-needed financial relief and support their holistic development.

The Cost of Disability and Need for Inclusion
Due to India’s lack of accessibility and disability-friendly infrastructure, PwDs face extra costs that can significantly strain their financial well-being. From assistive devices to regular medical treatment, the cost of disability can quickly compound. With minimal government financial aid and high premiums on insurance policies, the existing healthcare system leaves many PwDs in debt or worse—pushed below the poverty line.
This is why NDN has called for PwDs to be included in AB PM-JAY, which provides ₹5 lakh coverage per family annually. As of now, the scheme primarily targets the bottom 40% of the population but doesn’t specifically address the needs of PwDs.
Bridging the Healthcare Equity Gap
To achieve true universal health coverage, the inclusion of PwDs is not just desirable but necessary. Health equity cannot be achieved without offering comprehensive healthcare solutions to one of the most vulnerable sections of society. NDN stresses that this inclusion is essential to reduce the disproportionate burden PwDs face.
Conclusion: A Call for Action
Including persons with disabilities under AB PM-JAY without income or age restrictions would be a significant step toward ensuring healthcare equity. As the government continues to expand healthcare coverage, PwDs must be included, reducing their financial burden and offering them a more secure future.
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