Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved creation of Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Nidhi (PMSSN) as a single non-lapsable reserve fund for health from the proceeds of health and education cess. All health schemes including Ayushman Bharat will benefit by the creation of PMSSN as a non-lapsable reserve fund.
“The major benefit will be: Enhanced access to universal & affordable health care through availability of earmarked resources, while ensuring that the amount does not lapse at the end of financial year,” said the Government in a statement.
The Government said the salient features of this PMSSN are proceeds of share of the health and education cess will be credited to this new fund. “Accruals into the PMSSN will be utilised for the flagship schemes of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare namely, Ayushman Bharat — Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), Ayushman Bharat — Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs), National Health Mission Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) and health emergencies during emergency and disaster,” said the statement.
Administration and maintenance of the PMSSN is entrusted to Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and in any financial year, the expenditure on such schemes of the Ministry would be initially incurred from the PMSSN and thereafter, from Gross Budgetary Support.