Govt to clear pending bills under CGHS 'within a week'

Under fire for non-payment of bills to hospitals under the Central Government Health Scheme, the government today said the pending amount is likely to be cleared "within a week" and also announced a revision of payments as demanded by private hospitals association.
The Union Health ministry, which has been under flak for failing to ensure smooth functioning of CGHS facilities, came out with a press statement today claiming that media reports about hospitals refusing to entertain patients under the scheme were false.
"Delay in payments in the last quarter of the financial year due to budgetary constraints is not a new phenomenon and the hospitals are aware of it. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has taken special steps and the pendency is likely to be cleared within a week," an official statement said.

The statement comes in the backdrop of chaos that was witnessed at various CGHS affiliated hospitals, who had refused to provide cashless facility to patients as the union had claimed that the Ministry was making deduction without any reason and also withholding payments for a longer duration.
According to the association, the government owed nearly Rs 370 crore to various hospitals across the country.
"CGHS has already invited bids for revision of package rates through a transparent tender process. The last date for submission of bids is March 10, 2014.
"Measures have also been taken to streamline the payment related issues in the ensuing empanelment process," the statement said, an attempt which is being seen to redress the grievances of the hospital association.