Himachal to roll out ₹10 lakh health insurance cover for 10 lakh families

Shimla, August 4, 2026 — Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced on Tuesday that the state government will launch a new health insurance scheme offering coverage of up to ₹10 lakh for economically weaker families. The initiative is designed to make quality healthcare accessible to all eligible citizens across the state.

Presiding over a high-level meeting of the health department in Shimla, Mr. Sukhu said the proposed policy would provide health insurance coverage at a highly affordable premium. He added that nearly 10 lakh families from various sections of society would be brought under the ambit of the new scheme.

“With this pioneering initiative, Himachal Pradesh would become the first state in the country to offer such a comprehensive health insurance scheme at a nominal premium,” the Chief Minister said during the meeting.

The CM further stated that leading multi-speciality and tertiary care hospitals would be empanelled under the scheme. This step, he said, would ensure that economically weaker families are not deprived of advanced medical treatment due to financial constraints. “The policy has been designed with the objective of providing equitable access to quality healthcare for every eligible citizen,” he added.

Mr. Sukhu also spoke about the state government’s broader efforts to strengthen the healthcare sector. He listed initiatives such as modernisation of hospitals and medical education institutions, and the automation of diagnostic services across the state. According to him, these measures would enable patients to avail timely, efficient, and hassle-free diagnostic services, while saving both time and effort.

The government, he said, is also strengthening healthcare infrastructure in district hospitals and all government medical colleges. This is being done to ensure that people receive quality medical treatment closer to their homes. The long-term goal, he added, is to develop world-class healthcare facilities within Himachal Pradesh so that residents do not have to travel outside the state for advanced medical treatment.

The announcement comes amid the state government’s ongoing efforts to expand social security coverage. While the exact premium rate and implementation timeline have not been disclosed yet, officials said the scheme is expected to be rolled out in the coming months.

Observers note that the success of the scheme will depend on the effective empanelment of hospitals and the government’s ability to manage claims efficiently. The state has a population of around 7 million, and the scheme is expected to cover a significant portion of low-income households.