Order of the Madras High Court dated 31/05/2021 in the matter of D. I. Nathan Vs Government of Tamil Nadu & Others. The matter related to the charges for treating Covid patients in private nursing homes.

During the course of the hearing of the case, it was mentioned that the Public Health and Family Welfare Department in its order, May 22, 2021 had introduced the Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme for all families where the annual income is less than Rs. 72,000/- per annum.

The petitioner has pointed out that this quantum is too low since, even on the basis of the minimum wages payable to an unskilled workers as its bread earner, would exceed the minimum elgibility threshold. It was requested that the threshold be raised so that the scheme can cover a large number of persons.

The court was of the opinion that since this was a matter of policy, it was best left to the state to decide whether the upward revision of the minimum threshold level would be appropriate. However, the appeal appeared to be reasonable and it was hoped that the minimum threshold level would be substantially increased to allow a large number families to avail of the scheme. Further, the financial difficulties faced by the people, especially those who were not able to afford expensive treatment is an aspect that should be looked into by the state, the Madras High Court order, May 31, 2021 said.