Network hospitals across the State decide not to acceptgovernment’s interim payment of Rs. 100 crore

The network hospitals under Aarogyasri Trust continue to play truant.

The recent round of talks between the government and the private hospitals over payment of Aarogyasi dues by the former have not convinced the latter to resume providing healthcare services to the poor availing the State’s health benefits.

Hospitals withdrew Aarogyasri services on June 29, infuriated by the government’s alleged unilateral decision to restrict long-bone fracture treatment to government hospitals.

After announcing stoppage of the Aarogyasri services, the representatives of around 160 hospitals from the State also decided they would demand dues from the government.

On Sunday, they met and decided that they would not accept government’s interim payment of Rs. 100 crore and stuck to their demand for clearing Rs. 350 crore owed to them until June 30.

“Our members have argued that any interim payments made by the government will disproportionately address the pending dues of just a few as Aarogyasri payments are processed on first-come first-serve basis,” Narsinga Reddy, Chairman of the sub-committee for Aarogyasri network hospitals in Telangana Hospitals and Nursing Association, said. On Sunday, the association took a decision to continue abstaining from providing services to Aarogyasri patients.

“This meeting was held to share the communication we had with the Health Minister on Saturday with other members of the association,” another office-bearer of the association said.

During the meeting, the members pointed out that the government’s promise of making interim payments felt short on at least three occasions this year. They also argued that the State had taken nearly a year to clear last year’s dues and hence the association should persist with its demands, which includes a revision of tariffs with an immediate 20 per cent hike.

The association’s decision has been communicated to the government and meeting to settle the issue has been called for by the Health Minister’s office.

“The final meeting is scheduled for Tuesday where the matter will be settled,” informed Chandrasekhar, Aarogyasri Healthcare Trust’s Chief Executive.