The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has decided to decline any consultative meetings called by state governments to decide upon hospital rate standardisation. Earlier this year in February, the Supreme Court of India, while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), directed the central government to find ways to regulate the rates of hospital procedures in the private sector. It sought a response from the Centre, which in April, had said the issue needed discussion with the states, IMA, as well as private players.

“The states have now started inviting members of the medical association to decide on the rates. We have decided that we will not be attending any such meetings,” said Dr R V Asokan, national president, IMA. He added that one such invitation was extended to IMA doctors in Andhra Pradesh, which was rejected.