Medical reimbursement should be uniformed for all categories of employees, pensioners: Nongrum tells Govt

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 29, 2023

Opposition Voice of the People Party (VPP) legislator from North Shillong Adelbert Nongrum on Thursday asked the government to have a uniform medical reimbursement for all categories of employees and pensioners.

In a letter to the Minister in-charge Health and Family Welfare Ampareen Lyngdoh, Nongrum said, “I request you to look into the matter and to issue necessary order for having uniformity in the reimbursement of medical claim for all categories of employees and pensioners irrespective of the office they hold.”

Also urging the government not to create disparity in matters relating to health and well-being of the employees and pensioners, he also suggested the need to do away with the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) rate to avoid such disparity.  

 “It may be suggested that the CGHS rate can be done away with to avoid the disparity and status quo may be maintained,” he said.

Nongrum had also raised the issue on the floor of the Assembly. He said many of the serving government employees as well as those who have retired, who are aggrieved to the CGHS rate on the bills duly countersigned by DHS (MI) have petitioned the government to consider their case and for re-consideration of the rate as the rate recommended is too less.

The MLA said that the excess amount that they have to bear for the medical treatment is a huge burden for them. Besides, the health issues they are confronted with an extra burden have been put on them to meet the cost of the treatment.

Nongrum however expressed dismay over the turn of events after the government through the Expert Committee had considered the cases of only certain categories of employees, who are holding high positions or had held positions in office.

“The disparity speaks for itself, if sicknesses and diseases do not differentiate between individuals, yet when it comes to reimbursement a distinction or a class of its own has been created,” he said.

He further stated that there is no provision in the MMA rules, 2021 for reimbursement at any certain percentages viz 80% or 70% adding neither there is any provision in the MMA rules, 2021 for an expert committee to review any specific cases relating to reimbursement issue.