YS Jagan Accuses Chandrababu Naidu of Weakening Aarogyasri Scheme

YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) chief and the former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy launched a scathing attack on Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader and the present Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. During a public address, Jagan accused Chandrababu Naidu of deliberately weakening the Aarogyasri scheme, a flagship healthcare initiative introduced by the late YS Rajasekhara Reddy. "Why do you hold such animosity towards Aarogyasri?" Jagan questioned Chandrababu Naidu, alleging that during his tenure, Chandrababu Naidu systematically undermined the scheme.

Jagan further claimed that Chandrababu Naidu withheld pending dues amounting to INR 300 crores for network hospitals under the Aarogyasri scheme. "Despite hospitals repeatedly reporting the lack of Aarogyasri coverage, why didn’t you take action? For eight months, people were forced to take loans and mortgage their properties to afford healthcare," he said. Jagan criticized Chandrababu Naidu's government for allegedly attempting to privatize the healthcare system by transferring public welfare schemes to private insurance companies, which, he stated, would impose stringent conditions and ultimately harm citizens.

"Under private insurers, we have already seen the difficulties policyholders face due to their conditions. If Aarogyasri is handed over to them, won't people suffer more? With their primary goal being profit, how can public welfare be ensured?" Jagan asked, adding, "You boast about being Chief Minister four times, but did you ever think of providing free, high-quality healthcare to the poor? Did you ever strengthen the Aarogyasri scheme, which was first introduced by YS Rajasekhara Reddy?"

Jagan highlighted the significant expansion of Aarogyasri under his government. "We increased the number of free medical procedures under Aarogyasri from 1,000 to 3,257. We extended its benefits to middle-class families with an annual income below INR 5 lakhs, as promised in our manifesto. Additionally, we have provided free healthcare up to INR 25 lakhs, benefiting 45.1 lakh people with an expenditure of INR 13,421 crores in the past five years."

He also pointed out the launch of the Aarogya Aasara scheme, which provides financial support to patients during their recovery period after treatment. "We introduced Aarogya Aasara, an initiative unparalleled in the country, offering post-treatment assistance to patients. Under this scheme, INR 1,465 crores have been disbursed, benefiting 24.59 lakh people," Jagan stated, emphasizing that such measures could not be matched by private insurers or Chandrababu Naidu’s governance.

Jagan accused Chandrababu Naidu of failing to fulfill key promises made under the 'Super Six' guarantees during his tenure. He alleged that Chandrababu Naidu's administration consistently undermined welfare programs, causing significant harm to public health services. "Who will guarantee healthcare security to over 1.5 crore families now? I strongly condemn your actions that have hurt the people. I demand that Aarogyasri be reinstated and implemented without changes," Jagan said.