Charitable hospitals oppose mandatory health schemes

The controversy stems from a GR issued by department of Law and Judiciary on April 21, 2025

- Vicky Pathare

The Association of Hospitals (AOH), Pune, has challenged a recent Maharashtra government decision mandating all charitable hospitals to implement state-run health schemes. On Monday, the association filed a writ petition in the Bombay High Court, citing financial and operational difficulties with the move.

The controversy stems from a Government Resolution (GR) issued by the Department of Law and Judiciary on April 21, 2025. The GR eliminates the earlier voluntary nature of joining health schemes, making it compulsory for charitable hospitals to participate in Central and State-run initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana (MJPJAY), and Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK), among others.

Subsequently, on June 4, 2025, the Joint Charity Commissioner's office in Pune issued directives requiring charitable hospitals to begin implementation and submit compliance reports by June 12. The AOH, which represents several leading hospitals in the region, strongly opposes the mandate.

Member hospitals of the AOH include Ruby Hall Clinic, Jehangir Hospital, Vishwaraj Hospital, KEM Hospital, Sancheti Hospital, Inlaks and Budhrani Hospital, Poona Hospital, and NM Wadia Hospital. In the petition, AOH argues that while they support providing care to the underprivileged, the package rates under the schemes are too low to cover the operational costs of running tertiary care hospitals.