Hospital – Uniform standard hospital charges – Rule 9 of the of the Clinical Establishment (Central Government) Rules, 2012 – Important issue raised in PIL by NGO Veterans Forum for Transparency in Public Life –
The PIL has sought a direction to the Centre to determine the rate of fee chargeable from patients in terms of Rule 9 of the Clinical Establishment (Central Government) Rules, 2012, framed under the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010
Rule 9 of 2012 Rules provides for other conditions for registration and continuation of clinical establishment. Clause (ii) is very important –
the clinic establishments shall charge the rates for each type of procedures and services within the rate of rates determined and issued by the Central Government from time to time in consultation with the State Governments.
The Act of 2010 was enacted with avowed object of providing medical facilities to the citizens at an affordable price. The citizens have fundamental right to healthcare, it is the duty of the State to provide medical assistance to the citizens and the Centre cannot shirk its responsibility by merely stating that communications have been addressed to the State Governments and they are not responding.
The Order dated 27.2.2024 of the Supreme Court of India in Writ Petition (Civil) No.648 of 2020.