Thu Sep 18 15:12:18 UTC 2025: Here’s a news article summarizing the provided text:
**Headline: MP Urges Defense Minister to Streamline Ex-Servicemen Health Scheme Payments**
**MANGALURU, September 18, 2025** – Dakshina Kannada MP Capt. Brijesh Chowta has appealed to Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh for urgent intervention to improve the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS). In a letter released today, Capt. Chowta highlighted the significant delays in settling bills for ex-defence personnel and their families, causing reputed corporate hospitals to withdraw from the scheme.
Capt. Chowta argued that the delays in payments are undermining the scheme’s effectiveness, depriving veterans and their dependents of the quality healthcare they deserve. He proposed the implementation of a time-bound and transparent mechanism for settling bills, suggesting a one-month target from claim submission.
“ECHS must be made accountable to clear hospital dues within a fixed time frame,” Capt. Chowta stated, emphasizing that doing so would not only restore confidence among existing empanelled hospitals but also encourage more reputable institutions to join the ECHS network. He believes that fixing accountability for delays will be a significant step towards strengthening the ECHS and honoring the service of ex-defence personnel.
First Piper 