West Bengal is preparing to implement the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), making it the 36th State/Union Territory to join this significant health insurance initiative. The formal induction will occur through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony on Monday, involving the National Health Authority and the state's Health Department. Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda will oversee the event, which will also see participation from senior officials including West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. The AB PM-JAY scheme provides eligible families with health insurance coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per year for secondary and tertiary hospitalizations, aiming to alleviate the financial burden of medical expenses on vulnerable households. This initiative is expected to enhance access to quality healthcare services through a network of empanelled public and private hospitals. Furthermore, the scheme's portability feature will allow beneficiaries to receive cashless treatment at hospitals across the country, reinforcing the goal of affordable healthcare for all citizens. The inclusion of West Bengal in the program is viewed as a critical step towards improving healthcare delivery in the state and achieving universal health coverage in India.