The Maharashtra Public Health Department has extended its 80:20 scheme instituted with private hospitals until the end of May. This policy allows the state to control 80 per cent of the COVID-19 beds in private hospitals while also placing caps on the cost of treatment.
Dr Pradeep Vyas, the Principal Health Secretary, sent out an order mentioning that this bed reservation scheme will be in effect until the 31st of May, 2021.
It’s worth pointing out that the 80:20 policy is currently under litigation, while this plan is seeing an extension for the fourth time. This scheme was originally implemented in May 2020 during the height of the pandemic.
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When the scheme lapsed on the 31st of August, 2020, the State made some adjustments to the proposal in Mumbai hospitals by bringing down control of beds from 80 per cent to 50 per cent. However, the state continued to follow the 80:20 policy in other parts of Maharashtra.
Citizens have welcomed the state’s decision to bring this scheme into effect which also brought along streamlined pricing of treatment thanks to the capping of rates by the State. Such measures are deemed to be the most suitable during a pandemic.
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However, private hospitals have long complained of price capping hurting their finances and operations. In June last year, some private sent out an SOS to the State Government saying that if the 80:20 scheme were to continue beyond August 2020, many of their services may need to shut down.
This also came at a time when several hospitals were accused of overcharging their patients, leading to action from the state and municipal corporations.
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