YS Sharmila calls proposed UHC in AP a ‘sham’

Vijayawada: Describing the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) scheme proposed by the TDP-led NDA state govt in Andhra Pradesh as a "complete sham", APCC chief YS Sharmila alleged that the proposed UHC model is a fraudulent scheme designed to undermine and weaken the flagship Aarogyashri scheme, under which the underprivileged are entitled to receive free healthcare at private hospitals.In a press statement issued on Sunday, YS Sharmila questioned the rationale behind limiting health insurance coverage to Rs 2.5 lakh while leaving additional expenses to be borne by the trust. "When several states that experimented with private insurance models are reverting to the trust-based system, what is the intention behind introducing private insurance in AP, where Aarogyasri is being implemented successfully under the trust model?" she asked.She further alleged that the govt attempted to divert public funds to private insurance companies. "A govt that hesitates to release Rs 4,000 crore annually towards Aarogyasri payments is now ready to mobilise thousands of crores in advance for insurance companies. Where will these funds come from?" she questioned.Accusing the govt of deliberately weakening the scheme, she said Aarogyasri was being turned into an "unhealthy scheme" through policy changes. She demanded that the decision to link Aarogyasri with private insurance be withdrawn immediately and that the scheme be continued under the existing trust model. Sharmila also demanded the immediate release of Rs 3,000 crore in pending dues to hospitals under Aarogyasri.