Ayushman scheme needs a lifeline of funds

THE mass withdrawal of over 600 private hospitals in Haryana from the Ayushman Bharat scheme has dealt a serious blow to public healthcare delivery. The hospitals’ decision, citing unpaid dues reportedly amounting to over Rs 500 crore, exposes administrative lapses in the execution of what was touted as the world’s largest government-funded health insurance programme. The scheme promises cashless treatment of up to Rs 5 lakh per family annually for secondary and tertiary care. But unless payments are made to hospitals on time, this remains only on paper. With hospitals halting services to Ayushman cardholders, poor and vulnerable patients are left in the lurch. They are forced to either delay treatment or turn to already overburdened government hospitals.