Higher earners to pay for Aasandha under planned changes
The government said the decision would end free coverage for those above the income threshold and save an estimated MVR 287 million a year.
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People earning more than MVR 60,000 a month will have to pay for treatment through Aasandha under changes announced by the government today.
The government said the decision would end free coverage for those above the income threshold and save an estimated MVR 287 million a year.
It described the measure as part of efforts to free up funds for other government spending and said it was in line with recommendations from international financial institutions.
The government said it did not consider it necessary to provide free treatment to wealthy individuals and those paying income tax, arguing that the change was needed.
The Finance Ministry is expected to announce details in the coming days. The announcement did not specify when the changes would take effect or how payments would be structured.
This year’s budget allocated MVR 2 billion to Aasandha. Spending on the scheme reached MVR 1.4 billion by the end of August, compared with MVR 1.3 billion during the corresponding period last year.
A further MVR 409 million was allocated to the National Social Protection Agency to provide assistance for treatments not covered by Aasandha. Of that allocation, MVR 167.1 million has been spent.
