Consider including married parents of govt servants in health insurance scheme too, HC directs chief secretary

The Madras High Court has directed the Chief Secretary to take a decision within three months regarding inclusion of dependent parents of married government employees in the compulsory health insurance scheme being implemented in the state.

Justice Mummineni Sudheer Kumar issued the direction after taking cognizance of numerous petitions filed in the court by married government servants against denial of medical reimbursement for treatment undergone by their parents.

Since such petitions were likely to be filed in future also, the learned Judge directed the Chief Secretary to take note that a Division Bench of the High Court as well as a single Judge had already ruled against the exclusion of parents from the definition of ‘family’ in respect of married government servants.

The High Court has repeatedly stressed that such an exclusion would constitute a breach of the duty imposed on children to maintain their elderly parents under the Maintenance of Parents and Elderly Persons Act 2007, as well as personal laws governing individuals.

“Therefore, this court considers it appropriate to invite the attention of the Chief Secretary of the State of Tamil Nadu to examine this aspect with special attention and take appropriate steps to bring the New Health Insurance Scheme, 2016 or any subsequent scheme in conformity with the orders passed by this court,” the judge wrote.

After asking the High Court Registry to forward a copy of its order to the Chief Secretary, the judge ordered the latter to decide the matter as quickly as possible and in any event within three months.