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West Bengal Assembly Approves Private Hospital Transparency Bill

Once implemented, private clinics must display fixed rates with strict billing caps to protect patients

The bill also said that patients should be provided proper estimates of all treatment charges before treatment commences. (FILE PHOTO)
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Overview

  • The bill mandates private hospitals and nursing homes to prominently display fixed rates and package charges at conspicuous locations.
  • It requires detailed treatment cost estimates before procedures and obliges facilities to notify any increases within 24 hours.
  • All private clinical establishments must maintain electronic medical records through approved software for patient care and regulatory audits.
  • Final hospital bills cannot exceed initial estimates by more than a percentage set by the State Health Department.
  • Opposition parties faulted the legislation for omitting provisions on medical staff safety while hospital associations praised its transparency measures.