Bengaluru: No hospital should withhold a patient’s body because bills remain unpaid, Health and Family Welfare Minister U.T. Khader said, announcing that Karnataka would formulate a clear policy on the issue as part of efforts to protect patients and families from excessive medical expenses.
Khader chaired a meeting with the Private Hospitals Association at Arogya Soudha on Thursday to discuss hospital charges, the cost of life-saving medicines and health-insurance practices. The proposed policy and further consultations were outlined at the meeting; no implementation date was announced.
Held a meeting with the Private Hospitals Association at Arogya Soudha today to address rising medical expenses and strengthen patient protection. Public interest and patient welfare remain our top priorities. No hospital should withhold a patient’s body over unpaid bills. A clear policy will be formulated to address this issue.
— UT Khader (@utkhader) October 22, 2026
Clear policy on release of bodies
The minister said public interest and patient welfare were the government’s first priority, and that patients and families should not face financial exploitation during a medical emergency.
He said a clear policy would be framed to address hospitals withholding bodies over unpaid bills. Further decisions on excessive billing by private hospitals would follow discussions with Health Department officials.
Medicine prices and MRP increases under discussion
The meeting discussed measures to reduce the cost of expensive life-saving medicines used in cancer, cardiac and kidney care, and to curb unauthorised increases in maximum retail prices.
Khader said a further meeting would be held with pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors. The discussions did not announce a specific revised price or an immediate reduction for any particular medicine.
Separate meeting planned with insurers
A separate meeting with insurance companies will be convened to address excessive charges for patients with health-insurance cover and to simplify the claims process, the minister said.
The proposed consultations form part of the effort to make medical expenses more affordable and ensure patients are not unfairly charged.
Private hospitals raise regulatory concerns
Representations from private hospitals concerning the Fire Department, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board and the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments (KPME) Act were received and discussed.
Khader said steps would be taken to address these concerns. He reiterated the government’s commitment to a transparent and accountable healthcare system that protects patients’ interests and prevents exploitation.
Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, Rithvik Ranjanam Pandey, and Commissioner Gurudatta Hegde attended the meeting.
About the Author
