Thiruvananthapuram: Chief minister V D Satheesan on Monday told the assembly that health and finance departments have been entrusted with preparing and implementing the Oommen Chandy health insurance scheme, which is aimed at reducing the financial burden of medical treatment on ordinary people.Rejecting criticism that the scheme would lead to the growth of private hospitals at the expense of govt hospitals, Satheesan termed such arguments “strange”. He pointed out that existing health insurance schemes are already linked with private hospitals and clarified that both govt and private hospitals would be empanelled under the new scheme.“The govt will honour the promise made to the people. The scheme will be implemented after discussions with insurance companies,” he said, adding that several complaints have been raised regarding the existing Medisep scheme.Describing Kerala’s healthcare situation as serious, the CM said the new insurance scheme would not deprive people of existing benefits. He noted that many families are pushed into financial distress by medical expenses, with some even forced to mortgage their homes to settle hospital bills. Kerala is among the states with the highest treatment costs in the country, he said, adding that the UDF manifesto had been prepared after detailed studies.Satheesan said the scheme has been named after a leader whose humanitarian interventions inspired many to engage in charitable activities. The CM, however, said it was too early to specify the premium burden that the govt would bear under the proposed health insurance scheme.Responding to criticism over the Priyadarshini transport scheme, he alleged that false propaganda was being spread against the initiative. He said the govt would provide around Rs 800 crore to the KSRTC and simultaneously work towards making the corporation financially self-sufficient.
