Sonia launches health insurance for poor in Maharashtra

The RGJAY intends to cover more than two crore of the state's 12 crore population in the next few years and extend to more later.

Besides getting free treatment, patients will be entitled to post-medical care, medicines and return journey expenses from their place of residence to hospitals, Gandhi said.

She said that henceforth, poor women especially in rural areas would not have to hide their ailments to avoid burdening their husbands with medical bills and treatment expenses.

Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, Union Minister and Nationalist Congress Party leader Praful Patel, state Congress president Manikrao Thakre and Health Minister Suresh Shetty were present at the rally.

Gandhi also met and spoke to the first 78 beneficiaries of the scheme present at the venue.

She urged all poor people to take full advantage of the RGJAY as medical expenses are now beyond the reach of the common people.

Gandhi also appreciated the state government's proposed "Jeevan Amrut" scheme under which needy people can order for blood during medical emergencies by simply calling a toll-free number.