The Private Hospital and Nursing Home Association (PHANA) in Punjab has announced a halt to cashless treatments under government health insurance schemes, including Ayushman Bharat. This decision stems from the state government’s failure to pay outstanding debts totaling Rs 600 crores. PHANA stated that private healthcare facilities will resume participation in these schemes only after the government settles the dues.
Union Health Minister Criticizes State Government
JP Nadda, Union Health Minister and BJP President, condemned the situation, attributing the loss of access to free healthcare to the mismanagement of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab. He questioned Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann about the unpaid debts, stating that the government had promised more clinics and health centers before the elections but failed to support the healthcare sector.
I urge Shri @BhagwantMann to clear the dues of the hospitals as soon as possible, for there are many families, especially our hardworking farmers, benefitting under the Ayushman Bharat programme. Instead of cheering on the party unit in Delhi, it would suit to CM Bhagwant Mann to…
— Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) September 20, 2024
Nadda urged CM Mann to expedite the payment process, highlighting the impact on families, particularly farmers, who rely on the Ayushman Bharat program. He criticized Mann for focusing on party matters in Delhi instead of addressing the pressing issues in Punjab.
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