Parliamentary Query on Treatment Costs
Responding to Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut’s question on whether the Government recognises that many Indians fear medical costs more than illness, the Union Health Ministry acknowledged the concern but clarified that decisions on fixed-rate pricing models and advance cost disclosures in hospitals fall under the jurisdiction of States and Union Territories, as ‘health’ is a State subject.
Regulatory Framework in Place
Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel said the Centre has enacted the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010, along with the Clinical Establishments (Central Government) Rules, 2012, to regulate both government (excluding Armed Forces) and private hospitals in recognised systems of medicine. Hospitals registered under the Act must display service rates and available facilities prominently in local and English languages for patient awareness.
Ayushman Bharat Coverage
The Minister highlighted that under Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), health benefit packages cover costs such as pre-hospitalisation (up to 3 days), diagnostics, consultations, medicines, and post-hospitalisation care (up to 15 days).
Technology-Driven Healthcare Access
To improve rural and underserved urban healthcare access, the Centre operates eSanjeevani, the national telemedicine platform, in two modes—eSanjeevani AB-AAM and eSanjeevani OPD. In Maharashtra alone, over one crore consultations have been conducted. The Minister also mentioned the NIC-developed NextGen e-Hospital system for streamlining hospital operations, enhancing patient care, and optimising public health resources.
