Supreme Court Issues Notice on Plea to Fix Limits for Hospital Service Charges

The Supreme Court has issued notice on a plea seeking enforcement of Rules 9(i) and 9(ii) of the Clinical Establishments (Central Govt) Rules, 2012. 

These rules require hospitals to display and follow standard charges set by the Centre in consultation with states. However, no such rates have been notified in 12 years.

The case is now clubbed with a similar petition by NGO 'Veterans Forum for Transparency in Public Life'.

Criticising government inaction, the Court warned that if no steps are taken, it may order the use of Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) rates as an interim measure to uphold citizens’ right to affordable healthcare.