The National health protection scheme announced in the Union Budget 2018-19 will be implemented from October 2.
Touted as ModiCare, the scheme is envisaged to provide medical cover of up to Rs 5 lakh to over 10 crore poor and vulnerable families, constituting 40 per cent of total population.
On Thursday, Jaitley in his Budget speech said, "We are all aware that lakhs of families in our country have to borrow or sell assets to receive indoor treatment in hospitals. Government is seriously concerned about such impoverishment of poor and vulnerable families. Present RSBY provide annual coverage of only Rs 30,000 to poor families."
Several state governments have also implemented supplemented health protection schemes providing varying coverage, he had said in the Lok Sabha.
The finance minister also advocated that the central and the state government can pool in resources for healthcare to achieve efficiency.