Next SC hearing for rate standardization scheduled for Sep 10

The Supreme Court on Monday, April 29, agreed to hear the plea against the rate fixation of hospitals and issued a notice to the Centre on the same. The next date of hearing is September 10.

The top court observed that rate fixation will lead to underhanded practices. “How can the Centre prescribe uniform fees for all hospitals? Rates are a function of market forces, one doctor may charge Rs 100 and another may charge Rs 10,000,” the court observed.

Associations of doctors and hospitals moved the apex court against rate fixation as it challenged Rule 9 of Clinical Establishment Rules 2012. The rule provides the Centre to prescribe a range of rates for hospitals.

The lawyers for doctors and hospitals argued investors will not come to the healthcare sector in India with leading technology if rate fixation is allowed. “We cannot have rate fixation. We cannot have a one-size-fits-all approach. We have challenged the validity, and legality of Rule 9, no power is available to fix rates. There has to be regulation of the profession, but can’t have rate fixation,” the plea said. CNBCTV18