The All India BSNL DOT Pensioner Association (AIBDPA) has voiced serious concerns regarding the recent directive mandating the linking of CGHS Beneficiary IDs with Ayushman Bharat Health Account IDs. In a letter addressed to Dr. Mansukh L Mandaviya, the Hon'ble Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, the AIBDPA highlights the detrimental impact of this decision on retired BSNL employees who have migrated to CGHS.
The issue stems from the Office Memorandum issued by the CGHS Director, dated March 28, 2024, which made the linking of CGHS Beneficiary IDs with Ayushman Bharat Health Account IDs mandatory, effective from April 1, 2024. This move, according to the AIBDPA, directly contradicts previous assurances given by authorities that such linking would be optional.
BSNL retirees, who have become CGHS beneficiaries by paying substantial amounts for one-time subscriptions, are now facing the prospect of their status being downgraded due to this mandatory linking. The AIBDPA contends that CGHS beneficiaries already endure various deficiencies within the system, and linking them with Ayushman Bharat Health Account IDs further exacerbates their plight.
The AIBDPA emphasizes that the mandatory linking is tantamount to relegating CGHS beneficiaries to the status of patients at government hospitals, thereby constituting a grave injustice. The association asserts that such a move disregards the assurances given to retirees and disregards their welfare.
In response to this development, the AIBDPA, along with the National Coordination Committee of Pensioners Associations, has sought urgent intervention from Dr. Mansukh L Mandaviya to revoke the controversial Office Memorandum and reinstate the optionality of linking CGHS Beneficiary IDs with Ayushman Bharat Health Account IDs.
The AIBDPA's letter underscores the importance of safeguarding the rights and welfare of retired employees who rely on CGHS for their healthcare needs. It calls for a reconsideration of the mandatory linking decision in order to alleviate the concerns and hardships faced by CGHS beneficiaries.
The AIBDPA's advocacy reflects a commitment to upholding the dignity and rights of pensioners, urging authorities to prioritize their well-being in healthcare policy decisions.
