Supreme Court to hear on issue on price fixation for COVID-19

Yesterday, the Supreme Court was informed that the rates fixed under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme or the Central Government Heath Scheme [CGHS] need to consider a criterion to stipulate price caps for COVID-19 treatment in private hospitals. 

The bench comprising of Chief Justice SA Bobde, Justices AS Bopanna & V. Ramasubramanium were hearing the plea filed under Public Interest Litigation by Adv. Sachin Jain for nationwide cost regulation for Covid-19 treatment for patients at private and corporate hospitals. It was taken on record on affidavit filed by the Health Minister to outline the guidelines for the state by cost regulations. 

The court observed the reply from the Centre was satisfactory in nature and the earmarking cost cap issue should be left to the individual State Government. Additionally, the court asked the centre to urge insurance companies to release the undue payments. The court has adjourned the matter for cost and price regulations for two weeks until private hospitals take their time to reply on the government’s affidavit.