Rajya Sabha MP from Delhi, Swati Maliwal, launched a strong attack during Zero Hour on the alleged link between private hospitals and insurance companies. She urged the government to make the Clinical Establishments Act mandatory across India to change the mindset of viewing patients simply as sources of money.
Swati Maliwal Exposes Private Hospital price
Maliwal said that private hospitals today look more like five-star hotels than places of care. She noted that hospitals charge for “deluxe, premium, and suite” rooms at prices even higher than luxury hotels. “The irony is that when a patient arrives in an emergency, doctors ask about insurance coverage and how much money the family has even before checking the patient’s pulse,” she said.
Questioning hospital billing practices, the MP said unreasonable charges added even for basic items like thermometers, gloves, masks, and sanitizers. She claimed that patients intentionally prescribed costly branded medicines and forced to undergo unnecessary tests, pushing middle-class families into account.
Force middle class families
Making an emotional appeal, Swati Maliwal said the issue relates to the dignity and fundamental right to health of ordinary citizens. She insisted it is time for the government to ensure accountability in the private healthcare sector.
Maliwal also targeted health insurance companies, accusing them of unfair practices. She said that while companies raise premiums every year, they often reject claims based on fine print and “hidden conditions” during settlement. She called for strict government oversight over how insurance companies operate and their premium increases.
Recalling legislative history, Maliwal reminded the House that the Clinical Establishments Act passed in 2010 to bring transparency and regulation to medical service charges. “It is shocking that even after 16 years, only 12 states have adopted it. Even the national capital, Delhi, has not implemented the Act so far,” she said.
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