Hyderabad: Aarogyasri bills pending could force hospitals to shut, former minister T. Harish Rao said in the Assembly, alleging delays in payments under the scheme.
He said the government claimed to release Aarogyasri bills through the Green Channel. However, he alleged that funds were not being released as stated.
He warned that continued delays in Aarogyasri bills were pushing smaller hospitals towards closure. As a result, healthcare services under the scheme were facing disruption.
Aarogyasri bills pending affecting treatment access
Harish Rao said the Congress had promised to increase the coverage limit from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh. However, he said only 496 people benefited over two and a half years after the increase.
He claimed corporate hospitals were not providing treatment for major surgeries under Aarogyasri. Therefore, he suggested the government review the implementation of the scheme.
He said that during the previous BRS government, authorities provided financial assistance ranging from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 15 lakh to 607 beneficiaries.
Aarogyasri bills pending despite notices to hospitals
He alleged that even after hospitals issued notices to stop Aarogyasri services, the government did not clear pending bills. Consequently, smaller hospitals were facing severe financial strain.
He expressed concern that several small hospitals were nearing closure due to unpaid dues. He urged the government to clarify the total pending amount.
He demanded that the concerned minister state how many Aarogyasri bills remained and provide a clear timeline for payments.