Chennai/ Delhi : HL August 20, 2026
Tamil Nadu has announced a major expansion of its flagship healthcare programme, increasing the annual insurance coverage under the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (CMCHIS) from Rs. 5 lakh to Rs. 25 lakh per family.
The fivefold increase was announced by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on August 19 under Rule 110. The government said the enhanced coverage is aimed at providing greater financial protection to families facing expensive medical treatment and major hospitalisation.
The revised limit will significantly increase the financial support available to eligible beneficiaries under the state’s health insurance programme. The scheme is intended to reduce the burden of high medical expenses and improve access to specialised treatment.
Major Push for Cancer Care
The government also announced additional investments to strengthen cancer treatment facilities across the state.
The Chief Minister’s Cancer Care Mission will receive an allocation of Rs. 677.44 crore. In addition, an integrated cancer treatment unit will be established at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital in Chennai at an estimated cost of Rs. 471.80 crore.
Five regional cancer centres have also been announced, along with advanced equipment and specialised treatment facilities. The measures are intended to improve early detection and access to cancer care across different regions of Tamil Nadu.
Specialised Healthcare for Transgender Persons
The state government has further announced additional medical and surgical services for transgender persons at seven government medical college hospitals under CMCHIS.
The facilities identified for these services include government hospitals in Chennai, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Chengalpattu, Thiruvarur, Dharmapuri and Kanyakumari.
Wider Healthcare Focus
The latest announcements are part of a broader effort by the Tamil Nadu government to expand healthcare infrastructure and reduce financial barriers to treatment.
The CMCHIS is a major state-sponsored health insurance programme designed to provide cashless treatment to eligible families through empanelled government and private hospitals. The Tamil Nadu Health Systems Project continues to oversee and support implementation of the state’s health-system initiatives, including CMCHIS.
With the annual insurance ceiling now proposed to rise from Rs. 5 lakh to Rs. 25 lakh, the move represents a substantial expansion of financial protection for eligible families and comes alongside new investments in hospitals, cancer treatment and specialised healthcare services.
