Supreme Court Urges Action on Healthcare Pricing Discrepancies
Updated On Mar 02, 2024
Recently, the Supreme Court of India has raised serious concerns about the wide gap in medical treatment costs between Government and Private hospitals. The court even criticised the Central Government for not enforcing rules that should set standard rates for various medical procedures.
To be more precise, the Supreme Court is worried about the big difference in prices for eye surgery. With the price of Rs. 10,000 for cataract surgery in Government hospitals, the private hospitals are charging Rs 30,000-1,40,000 for the same surgery, highlighting a significant difference in the price.
The Court wants to fix this problem and make sure a 14-year-old law is followed to set standard prices for medical procedures. The court believes that every citizen has a fundamental right to healthcare, urging the Government to take responsibility for ensuring affordable medical treatment.
Public Interest Litigation (PIL) Highlights
A group called “Veterans Forum for Transparency in Public Life” is also pushing for fair patient fees. They want the Government to decide how much patients should pay, following the rules made in 2012.
For your information, the 2012 rules say hospitals must clearly show how much they charge for services and stay within the prices set by the government.
Enforcement of Rules
The Central Government told the Supreme Court that it reached out to State Governments multiple times for help but got no replies. In reply, the Supreme Court said the central government can't avoid its duty to provide affordable healthcare for everyone.
To rectify this, the Court has also directed the Union health secretary to have a meeting with state counterparts within a month, to ensure timely notification of standard rates for medical services.
Moreover, the court warned that if the Government fails to find a solution, it may consider implementing CGHS-prescribed standardised rates.
Response from General Insurance Council
Even, Tapan Singhel, Chairman of the General Insurance Council, welcomed the court's attempt for standard hospital rates. He highlighted the importance of charging appropriate costs while offering quality healthcare services to the citizens of India, considering it a fundamental right.
Final Note
Altogether, it's a great move by the Supreme Court to ensure that healthcare is equitable for all. They aim to address the significant disparity in costs within the healthcare sector and ensure adherence to a 2012 law. This is crucial so that everyone can afford to receive the necessary medical care, regardless of their financial situation.
