Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Private hospitals in Haryana will suspend Ayushman Bharat services for 24 hours on September 1 over pending claims, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Haryana has announced, marking a fresh standoff with the state government.
The association has flagged nearly Rs 1,200 crore in unpaid claims and is also demanding a fair and transparent reimbursement system.
In Karnal, IMA spokesperson Dr Kamal Charaya said private hospitals empanelled under Ayushman Bharat would stop services for a day. He said the government had been given time to clear the dues and that the association would decide its next course of action on September 15.
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“The pending amount runs into hundreds of crores and has not been released so far. We have given the government time to clear the dues. Further strategy will be decided on September 15,” Charaya said.
He warned that prolonged delays could force smaller hospitals to shut down.
In Panipat alone, private hospitals have reported around Rs 80 crore in pending claims. IMA district president Dr Hemendra Mangal said the delays had put hospitals under severe financial pressure, with some already shutting down and others struggling to survive.
“If the government wants private hospitals to continue providing Ayushman services, it must clear the pending amount. Neighbouring Uttar Pradesh settles claims on time, while Haryana faces repeated delays,” he said.
The IMA has warned of a longer suspension from September 16 if the dues are not cleared. Emergency cases will continue to be admitted, but hospitals will not take new routine patients under the scheme during the protest.
REPEATED STANDOFFS OVER AYUSHMAN DUES
This is not the first confrontation between private hospitals and the Haryana government this year.
Between January and April, the IMA repeatedly threatened to withdraw services over dues dating back to September 2025.
In June, nearly 600 private hospitals went on strike for several days over more than Rs 400 crore in unpaid claims and low package rates under Ayushman Bharat and the state’s Chirayu Haryana scheme.
Around 650 empanelled hospitals again suspended services for 19 days from August 7 to 26 over pending payments and alleged arbitrary deductions.
The protest ended after the government agreed to expedite reviews of cases flagged for suspected fraud and withdraw show-cause notices. A review meeting was also scheduled for October 15.
However, tensions have resurfaced within days of services resuming.
OPPOSITION TARGETS HARYANA GOVERNMENT
Opposition leaders have criticised the state government over the dispute.
Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda accused the government of failing to address the problems faced by Ayushman patients.
Congress leaders Geeta Bhukkal and Aditya Surjewala also raised the issue after meeting the Governor in Chandigarh, while Vinesh Phogat accused the Saini government of repeatedly failing patients under the scheme.
Responding to the allegations, Chief Minister’s media adviser Rajeev Jaitley said discrepancies had been found in some hospital bills and that doctors had also acknowledged the issue.
“We are following the Centre’s standard operating procedures for disbursal, which is being done regularly. Wherever there is any lacuna, the Chief Minister is personally looking into the matter and steps will be taken,” he said.
The immediate focus is now on the September 1 suspension and whether the government clears enough pending claims to prevent a longer disruption from September 16.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
