Centre yet to hold meeting with states, UTs on hospital rate standardization

The Union Health Secretary is yet to start consultations with its counterparts in states or union territories on capping prices of health treatments across the nation, revealed sources. The Supreme Court had set a six-week deadline ending April 11 for the Union Health Ministry to hold meetings with the states and union territories and come up with a concrete proposal.

The Health Ministry is currently examining the roadblocks to fixing treatment charges at healthcare centres, sources told CNBC-TV18. The ministry believes having one price across the nation might be difficult, as treatment costs depend on several factors.

Taking the factors into consideration, which include the quality of medical devices involved in treatment, the central government reckons that it cannot have one fixed price cap for treatments across states. This can be an issue for the central government and the prices can likely be capped state-wise and procedure-wise, sources added.

According to sources, the central government is also of the view that it is tough to ensure adherence to the price cap across hospital chains.

Meanwhile, the Indian government is preparing a ready reckoner to note the views of hospitals, states or union territories, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) and other stakeholders.

It remains to be seen what the Union government will have to say to the apex court on the next date of hearing. CNBCTV18