Thread by @barandbench

A Supreme Court bench headed by CJI SA Bobde hears a plea seeking free treatment of #COVID19 patients from private hospitals.

CJI: We are not going to pass orders against all private hsopitals? But the charitable hospitals which are built on free government land have to provide

CJI - There is an earlier judgment of Justice Lodha that says these hospitals should treat certain number of patients for free... Why can’t these hospitals treat a certain number of patients for free?

Senior Adv Harish Salve healthcare commission: we are complying with this

Senior Adv Salve: Anyone who has received land on concessional rates is providing free beds and treatment

Senior Adv Mukul Rohatgi appearing for association of hospitals: Hospitals are already complying with what the CJI is suggesting

CJI Bobde: - Final hearing after 2 weeks

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta: I thought it was for all private hospitals. We have not recieved a copy of the application. Please serve it to all

Senior Adv Salve - Application is that all private hospitals be asked to give treatment at Ayushmann Bharat rates. How can this be

Petitioner Sachin Jain: The tariff under Ayushmann Bharat should be made applicable to everybody. Govt should support citizens and not with corporate hospitals. Health minister said that in this crisis we have to involve the private sector as a key partner

Senior Adv Harish Salve: we are doing it at subsidised rates already

Jain: Covid-19 treatment, packages are well defined and are available in Ayushman Bharat. The average daily bill is Rs 4000. If Mr Salve is saying they don't want profit, then that's what I say is stick to it

CJI: We want to know if we make an order that hospitals charge only on cost basis.. then is that okay? Is not your case that at this hour of crisis hospitals should not make profit ?

SG Tushar Mehta: Ayushman Bharat identifies categories of beneficiaries like rag pickers, daily wage workers etc. But the petitioner wants to make it applicable to all. Govt is doing its best for lowest strata of the society

SH Tushar Mehta: Ayushman Bharat identifies categories of beneficiaries like rag pickers, daily wage workers etc. But the petitioner wants to make it applicable to all. Govt is doing its best for lowest strata of the society

Senior Adv Salve: Revenues for hospitals have fallen. People have stopped coming to hospitals due to COVID reasons. Ayushman Bharat is a heavily discounted scheme. Private hospitals revenue is down by 60 to 70 percent.

Rohatgi: Sir Ganga Ram hospital has been converted into a COVID hospital. No business left and it will lead to closing down of hospitals.

CJI: You are making a sacrifice for a good cause

Senior Advocate Harish Salve appearing for an intervening application by Health care federation.

CJI allows the intervention

Matter to be listed after two weeks. SG Mehta to place affidavit on record.