Dehradun: The Health Department is continuously deliberating on running the unlimited free healthcare scheme for government employees and pensioners smoothly. In this context, a meeting chaired by Secretary of Health Dr. R. Rajesh Kumar discussed various options to operate the scheme effectively. Although no final decision was taken during the meeting, the suggestions presented will be conveyed to the government.
Health Secretary Dr. R. Rajesh Kumar stated that meetings are being held to keep the scheme running smoothly, and a concrete action plan will be prepared soon.
The State Government Health Scheme, launched for state employees and pensioners, is veering off track. The situation is such that the State Health Authority does not have sufficient funds to pay the dues of hospitals associated with the scheme. As a result, several private hospitals have refused to treat patients covered under this scheme. This has cast a shadow of uncertainty over the scheme’s future. Employee and pensioner organizations are continuously urging the government to ensure the smooth functioning of the scheme.
Previous meetings on the scheme have revealed that the contribution being collected from employees and pensioners is quite low compared to the actual expenditure on treatment. The treatment rates were fixed back in 2019. This is why there is ongoing consideration to increase the contribution amount to sustain the scheme. Additionally, emphasis is being placed on creating a work plan to prevent unnecessary medical tests after hospital admissions.
