Health groups seek regulation of private hospital charges, medicine margins
JSA, Working Group on Access to Medicines and Treatment call for ceilings on hospital charges and trade margins; they say absence of a uniform mechanism to regulate hospital charges had left patients vulnerable to hefty bills
Health organizations are urging the government to impose regulations on private hospital charges and medicine margins, citing the need for patient protection amid concerns over excessive billing and pricing practices. The Jan Swasthya Abhiyan (JSA) and Working Group on Access to Medicines and Treatment have called for the establishment of ceilings on hospital charges and regulation of trade margins for medicines, medical devices, and consumables.
The groups argue that the current lack of a uniform mechanism to oversee hospital fees has left patients vulnerable to significant financial burdens, particularly in cases of prolonged treatment and multiple interventions.
The Supreme Court has recently questioned steep markups on cancer drugs and emphasized the pricing disparity as "carnage." Petitioners are seeking the court's intervention to make drugs, medical equipment, and generic medicines more affordable. The groups assert that while the Clinical Establishations (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010 provides a framework for registration and regulation of healthcare facilities, its implementation remains inconsistent across the nation, leaving patients with limited avenues to challenge hospital bills.
Furthermore, the absence of a standardized system for calculating charges has exacerbated the issue, as patients often face arbitrary pricing for treatment, medicines, and consumables. The groups contend that private hospitals have expanded rapidly in India, but regulatory oversight has not kept pace. They urge the central and state governments to introduce ceilings on charges for procedures, services, and treatment, as well as to establish accessible and timely mechanisms for patients to contest excessive or unjustified bills.
The organizations have also highlighted the need to address financial incentives for doctors that may influence clinical decision-making. They call for a comprehensive review of the National Medical Commission's (NMC) practices related to incentive-linked remuneration for healthcare professionals. Additionally, the groups advocate for strengthening the public healthcare system, increasing government spending on healthcare, and enhancing the capabilities of government hospitals to provide accessible care to all citizens.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
