Pensioners’ association welcome govt.’s pension increase decision
The Andhra Pradesh government increased pensions for septuagenarian and octogenarian pensioners, a move welcomed by the State Pensioners Welfare Association. However, the association also urged the government to implement a cashless treatment scheme in all reputed hospitals and ensure timely reimbursement of medical expenses.
Why it matters
This decision directly impacts the financial security and healthcare access for a significant elderly population in Andhra Pradesh, while also highlighting ongoing issues with public health schemes and the need for better medical support for pensioners.
The Andhra Pradesh government recently increased the quantum of pension to 10% from 7% for septuagenarian pensioners, while the octogenarian pensioners got a hike of 3% from 12% to 15%.
Welcoming the government’s move, State Pensioners Welfare Association’s president P. Ramachandra Rao and Vizianagaram district pensioners association president Rama Chandra Panda thanked Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.
Mr. Panda urged the government to implement a cashless treatment scheme in all reputed hospitals, claiming several hospitals have been denying treatment under the Employees Health Scheme (EHS). He said the government was deducting a certain amount from the pension that was supposed to be contributed to EHS benefits, but it was not implemented due to changes in hospitals' policies.
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