The Supreme Court on Friday asked the government to respond to whether COVID-19 patients, who are not beneficiaries under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, can be treated in private hospitals at the same subsidised rates offered under the scheme.
A Bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sharad A. Bobde heard petitioner-advocate Sachin Jain argue that COVID-19 treatment costs only ₹4000 for an Ayushman Bharat beneficiary in a private hospital, while others have to shell out a minimum of ₹50,000 for treatment in the same hospital.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta argued that the Ayushman Bharat scheme was meant for an identifiable category drawn from the poorest of the poor sections of society. The scheme cannot cover every strata of society.
Mr. Mehta said it was untrue to say that the gov