FM Sitharaman Denies Withholding Funds, Cites Billing Discrepancies for ECHS Payment Delays

Financial Report: Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) Update

Key Highlights:

• 67 lakh ex-servicemen and their dependents are currently enrolled in the ECHS program.
• The ECHS program, launched on April 1, 2003, provides comprehensive, cashless medical care to retired Armed Forces personnel and their eligible dependents.

Recent Developments:

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• On December 4, South Goa MP Captain Viriato Fernandes (retd) raised concerns in Lok Sabha regarding the halt of services at Goa's only hospital empanelled with ECHS due to non-payment of bills amounting to Rs 5.2 crore by the defence ministry.
• The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India reported delays in payment to empanelled hospitals and reimbursement of individual claims, resulting in empanelled hospitals opting out of the ECHS.

Government Response:

• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman clarified that ex-servicemen are not being denied hospital treatment due to pending payments.
• The Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare is actively addressing issues with empanelled hospitals where accounts have not been maintained in a fully transparent manner.
• The government emphasizes that delays in payments are not due to any withholding of funds, but rather due to verification processes and discrepancies in billing.

Commitment to Healthcare Services:

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• The government remains fully committed to ensuring uninterrupted and quality healthcare services for ex-servicemen.
• Provisions have been made for contingencies to ensure that any requirements are adequately met, as this is a matter of utmost importance.