health π₯ Govt panel wants hospital room costs capped at 3-star rates
A parliamentary committee proposed capping private hospital room charges in metro cities to the tariff of a three-star hotel. This recommendation is part of a larger effort to make healthcare more affordable and reduce patient out-of-pocket spending. The report, tabled in Lok Sabha on August 7, noted average out-of-pocket expenditure per hospitalization is Rs 34,064. The committee also urged mandatory upfront cost estimates and dedicated financial navigators for complex treatments. Furthermore, it called for expanding infrastructure beyond urban areas and improving medical supply transparency.