YS Sharmila criticizes AP CM calls Aarogyasri policy shift “ harmful to the poor ”

YS Sharmila, leader of the YSR Congress Party’s political front, today criticized the Andhra Pradesh coalition government led by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu over its handling of the Aarogyasri health scheme, calling the government’s policy shift from the original trust model to private insurance “harmful to the poor.”

The Aarogyasri scheme, launched by the late Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, has long been a lifeline for underprivileged families, providing financial coverage for serious medical treatments. Sharmila alleged that the government is deliberately undermining the program, claiming that:

• The coalition government is linking Aarogyasri to private insurance, which imposes coverage limits and administrative restrictions. While the trust model directly reimburses hospitals for full treatment costs, the private insurance model provides only partial coverage upfront, leaving patients dependent on additional approvals.

• Payments of approximately ₹2,700 crore to network hospitals are pending, causing strikes and service disruption in some hospitals. Sharmila said this shows a lack of commitment to public healthcare.

• Election promises of ₹25 lakh coverage per family under Aarogyasri have been reduced to ₹2.5 lakh under private insurance, with additional payments conditional, limiting treatment for expensive procedures.

Sharmila also highlighted that other Indian states that initially implemented private insurance for government health schemes eventually reverted to government-run trust models, citing administrative efficiency, transparency, and better patient service.

She urged the government to:

• Withdraw the private insurance link and continue Aarogyasri under the trust model.

• Pay pending dues to hospitals immediately to ensure uninterrupted medical services.

• End hospital strikes and restore patient care without delay.

Critics of the private insurance model argue that while private insurers receive guaranteed payments from the government, profit motives could limit patient benefits, create delays in claim approvals, and reduce the scheme’s original intent to serve the poor.

YS Sharmila’s comments come amid ongoing political debate over the state’s healthcare policy, with patient advocacy groups emphasizing the need for timely treatment and full coverage under government schemes.