Himachal's Himcare Scheme Faces Rs 355 Crore in Unpaid Dues

Payments totalling Rs 355 crore under the Himcare cashless health insurance scheme, including over Rs 127 crore owed to private hospitals, are pending, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu stated in the state assembly on Monday. Responding to questions from BJP MLAs, he mentioned that private hospitals received higher payments and a Cabinet Sub-committee is investigating complaints of irregularities.

The Himcare scheme offers cashless treatment coverage up to Rs 5 lakh per year per family in government and empanelled hospitals within the state. Meanwhile, the Sahara scheme provides financial aid of Rs 3000 monthly to poor patients suffering from specific diseases such as Parkinson's, Malignant Cancer, Paralysis, Muscular Dystrophy, Hemophilia, and Thalassemia.

Government Hospitals and Budget Allocation

Sukhu highlighted that despite a budget allocation of only Rs 20 crore, Rs 1,150 crore has been disbursed. He criticised the condition of government hospitals, describing them as transfer referral centres. He suggested that the funds could have been better utilised to strengthen these hospitals.

To address this issue, the government has initiated measures to improve government hospitals. Sukhu announced that 400 posts have been sanctioned for Indira Gandhi Medical College Hospital in Shimla and 450 for Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College and Hospital in Tanda. Additionally, the recruitment process for 200 doctors through the HP Public Service Commission has begun.

Strengthening Healthcare Schemes

The Chief Minister assured that the Himcare scheme would not be discontinued but would be managed more effectively. He also mentioned that Adarsh Swasth Sansthan are being established in all 68 assembly segments of the state. The Sahara Scheme will be strengthened by including eligible poor individuals and removing ineligible ones.

Earlier, Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur expressed concerns that people were not receiving funds under the Himcare and Sahara schemes. Addressing this issue, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dhani Ram Shandil revealed that out of 16,798 applications received under the Sahara scheme, 11,419 have been approved. Similarly, out of 2,45,141 applications under the Himcare scheme, 2,43,614 have been accepted.

Sukhu also mentioned that Rs 60 crore has been allocated for IGMC Shimla, Tanda Medical College and PGI to ensure poor patients undergoing treatment do not face difficulties. This funding aims to alleviate some of the challenges faced by patients in these institutions.

The Chief Minister reiterated his commitment to improving healthcare facilities across the state. He emphasised that efforts are underway to ensure both schemes run smoothly and benefit those in need.