MP moves bill to regulate medical prices

New Delhi: Spiralling healthcare costs in India have caught the attention of political leaders. With an aim to address the ever increasing out of pocket medical expenses, Member of Parliament (MP) Ajeet Gopchade has introduced the National Medical Pricing and Regulation Commission bill, 2026 that-seeks to establish an independent National Medical Pricing and Regulation Commission which will be empowered to fix, regulate and oversee medical charges, ensure mandatory public disclosure of approved rates, adjudicate complaints related to overcharging and enforce compliance through penalties and refunds."I have, respectfully submitted-the National Medical Pricing and Regulation Commission Bill, 2026 to further advance fairness, transparency, and affordability in healthcare for our countrymen," Gopchade told ET.The bill proposes to establish an independent National Medical Pricing and Regulation Commission, to be chaired by a retired Judge of the Supreme Court of India, with corresponding State and Union Territory Commissions chaired by retired Judges of the High Courts.The move gains significance as healthcare affordability in India is emerging as a matter of grave concern. While the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010 provides for registration and minimum standards of healthcare institutions, it does not establish a statutory authority for regulating or rationalising medical charges."In the absence of an independent price-regulating framework, hospitals and allied healthcare establishments levy widely divergent and non-transparent charges for similar medical services, diagnostics, procedures, room rent, implants and consumables. Such practices have resulted in financial hardship to patients and have undermined equitable access to healthcare, which forms an integral component of the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution," the proposed bill said.As per the proposed private member bill submitted by parliamentarian Gopchade-the National Commission will be liable to frame, notify, and periodically revise national guidelines for the rationalisation, transparency, and standardisation of medical and healthcare charges across public and private healthcare establishments.It will prescribe principles, methodologies, and benchmarks for cost-based and value-based pricing of healthcare services, procedures, diagnostics, and allied services, ensuring affordability, quality, and financial sustainability.The commission will also be responsible to supervise, monitor, and evaluate the functioning and compliance of State and Union Territory Healthcare Pricing Commissions, and to issue directions necessary for ensuring uniformity and effective implementation of national policy.As per the proposed bill every hospital, nursing home, clinic, diagnostic centre, and allied healthcare establishment, registered or required to be registered under the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, shall mandatorily register with the respective State or Union Territory Commission.The registered establishment will be liable to pay an annual regulatory fee, as prescribed by the State or Union Territory Commission with the prior approval of the National Commission, for the purpose of meeting the administrative, regulatory, inspection, and enforcement expenses of the Commissions.As per the proposed bill any establishment charging beyond the approved limits shall be liable to monetary penalties. If caught over charging they will have to refund of excess amount to the patient with interest. The hospital may lose its registration if they are caught in any wrongdoing.

from Economic Times https://ift.tt/IPfObke