Ayushman reality check: Hospitals deny cashless care in Delhi-NCR, Punjab, Himachal

An India Today special investigation, 'Operation Ayushman,' revealed significant failures in the central government's Ayushman Bharat Yojana across Delhi NCR, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh. The investigation exposed numerous empanelled private hospitals for denying cashless treatment to eligible patients and demanding cash payments. In response to the findings, Punjab Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh acknowledged the presence of 'bad sheeps' and confirmed that three hospitals were suspended with heavy fines. The report, featuring groundwork by Nitin Jain and Kamaljit Sandhu, highlighted that hospitals cite pending government dues and financial unviability for refusing care. Dr. Singh also announced the state's new ‘Mukhya Mantri Sehat Yojana’ to expand health coverage, while attributing some issues to funding delays from the central government. The investigation documents the systemic obstacles preventing the scheme from reaching its 55 crore intended beneficiaries.