Srinagar, Sep 19 (KNS) Youth President of the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference, Mudasir Karim, on Saturday raised serious concern over the reported payment crisis under the Ayushman Bharat–PM-JAY SEHAT scheme, warning that prolonged delays in reimbursement could undermine the very purpose of a programme intended to shield ordinary families from the financial burden of serious illness.
In a post on X, Karim said recent reports indicate that around Rs 500 crore in claims are pending with the State Health Agency, placing private hospitals under severe financial pressure. He said the consequences ultimately fall on patients, particularly those dependent on cancer treatment, dialysis, surgeries and other covered healthcare services.
Earlier reports in June had also documented concerns from private hospitals and dialysis centres over delayed reimbursements, following which the Government sanctioned Rs 175 crore towards pending claims.
Karim said the issue has been building for months and that private healthcare providers had already flagged concerns in June and threatened to withdraw from the SEHAT scheme over mounting dues.
Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
He stressed that while any concerns regarding misuse, fraudulent claims or malpractice must be investigated and dealt with strictly wherever established, such concerns should not result in genuine patients and compliant healthcare institutions bearing the consequences.
He called upon the elected Government to intervene immediately and establish a time-bound mechanism to verify and clear all legitimate pending claims.
Karim also sought greater transparency in the reimbursement process, stronger audits and scrutiny to prevent misuse, and effective measures to ensure that eligible beneficiaries continue to receive uninterrupted cashless treatment.
He said healthcare is a matter of prime public importance and that a patient's surgery, dialysis session or cancer treatment cannot be allowed to become collateral damage to an administrative or financial backlog.
Urging the Government to treat the SEHAT payment crisis as an urgent healthcare issue, he said both patient welfare and financial accountability must be protected. (KNS)
Sports,Business,Education,Politics,Health,National,Condolence,Crime,Tourism,International,City,