IMA pressure forces govt to release Ayushman funds

Facing mounting pressure from the Indian Medical Association (IMA), the Haryana Government has released over Rs 300 crore under the Ayushman Bharat-Ayushman Haryana scheme, just days before the IMA’s threatened deadline of August 7 to suspend services to Ayushman card holders.

Over 1.35 cr Ayushman cards issued

Over 1.35 crore Ayushman Bharat cards have been issued in Haryana, with 26.25 lakh hospital admissions worth Rs 3,990 crore approved. In reply to a query by Sirsa MP Kumari Selja, Minister of State for Health Prataprao Jadhav informed the Lok Sabha that the Centre has released Rs 607.73 crore, as part of the 60:40 Centre-state funding model. He clarified that claims should ideally be cleared within 15–30 days, after due verification to prevent misuse.

Despite the fund release, the IMA has not withdrawn its decision, citing long-standing issues of delayed payments and trust deficit.

“There’s no denying that the government wants us to treat patients,” said Dr Mahaveer P Jain, president, IMA Haryana. “But when payments are delayed for months, hospitals are left struggling to pay doctors, staff, and handle medical expenses.”

IMA officials revealed that private hospitals are still awaiting dues of over Rs 400 crore. Around 650 private hospitals are currently empanelled under the scheme in Haryana. On July 29, IMA had announced that these hospitals would stop treating Ayushman card holders from August 7 unless dues were cleared.

“Even if Rs 310 crore is being released now, the real issue is the unreliable and delayed payment cycles,” said Dr Jain.

Former IMA president Dr Ajay Mahajan said, “The government had allocated only Rs 700 crore for the scheme this year, while our estimates pegged the annual requirement at Rs 2,000-2,500 crore. Last year, Rs 1,300 crore was spent; this year, we expect it to cross Rs 1,800 crore.”

He said the low budget allocation shows the government is not fully prepared for the financial demands of the scheme.

Meanwhile, Dr Manish Bansal, Director General of Health Services, Haryana, confirmed the release of quarterly payments and assured that they will reach hospitals shortly.

He acknowledged issues of misuse of the scheme, stating, “We’ve received reports of fraud, so we’re working to ensure only genuine beneficiaries receive treatment. Our aim is to provide proper care while maintaining accountability.”