On Thursday 12th January 2012, the Union Cabinet reviewed the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana and decided that this scheme which provides health insurance cover would be extended to more people among the vulnerable sections.

The scheme has already been extended to unorganized workers like the MGNREGS beneficiaries, street vendors, domestic workers, beedi workers and those working at building and construction sites. In future, it is likely to be expanded to other segments of such workers.

The scheme has got wide appreciation from the International Labour Organization and the World Bank. The Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana was launched on October 1st 2007 as a health insurance scheme targeting families living below the poverty line. It came into operation in April 2008. Beneficiaries are entitled to a smart card-based, cashless health insurance cover of Rs. 30,000 per family p.a. on a family floater basis.