Kangra Private Hospitals urge release of Ayushman Bharat Dues

At a meeting held in Kangra, members of the association condemned the prolonged delay, stressing that private hospitals have been awaiting payments for more than 15 months, calling the withholding of funds unjustified.

According to the Tribune, the association firmly rejected allegations of presenting inflated billing, arguing that despite repeated claims by government officials, no solid evidence had been presented. They questioned the logic behind continuing the HIMCARE scheme until August 31, 2024, if fraud was indeed suspected. The association questions, “If fraud was suspected, why was the HIMCARE scheme continued until August 31, 2024? Why wasn’t it discontinued in 2023?” calling the government’s stance unacceptable.

Speaking to the media, Dr Naresh Vermani, president of the association, highlighted the severe financial strain on small and mid-sized private hospitals, many of which are struggling to stay afloat. He stated that due to the government’s failure to clear payments, several hospitals have been forced to take loans to cover salaries and operational expenses. The association also strongly opposed Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh’s recent comments, which they felt wrongly portrayed private hospitals as corrupt and profit-driven, reports the Daily. 

“If the Chief Minister fails to fulfill his promise of clearing all dues by March 31, 2025, we will take legal action to recover our payments with interest,” Dr Vermani warned. Comparatively smaller hospitals are facing significant financial strain even to the extent of taking loans to pay salaries and meet other financial obligations due to blocked payments. “If the Chief Minister fails to fulfill his promise of clearing all dues by March 31, 2025, we will take legal action to recover our payments with interest. Besides, CM’s statements tarnish the reputation of private hospitals, disregarding their crucial role in healthcare delivery, especially in Himachal,” he added.

The association expressed disappointment over Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh’s recent remarks as it unfairly accused private hospitals of corruption and concentrating on profits only. “His statements tarnish the reputation of private hospitals, disregarding their crucial role in healthcare delivery, especially in Himachal where public hospitals and medical colleges have largely become referral centers,” Dr Vermani said.

Defending the role of private healthcare providers, the association reminded the government that private hospitals played a critical role during the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring uninterrupted medical services while putting themselves at risk. They emphasized that the state's public healthcare system lacks adequate infrastructure, making it essential for private hospitals to handle emergencies and routine care.

The association has renewed its demand for immediate disbursal of pending dues and called on the Chief Minister to reconsider his statements and engage in constructive dialogue with private healthcare providers to ensure fair treatment and the continued delivery of quality healthcare services in Himachal Pradesh.