TG Employees face health crisis as cashless EHS falters

Telangana government-run Employee Health Scheme (EHS) is facing a healthcare emergency. Once a lifeline for state employees, pensioners, and their families, EHS—designed to provide cashless or reimbursed medical care—has been effectively stopped in many hospitals across the state. Thousands of public servants and retirees are now forced to pay cash for critical treatments, plunging families into financial distress and eroding confidence in public service welfare.

Hospitals, especially small and medium facilities that form the backbone of rural and tier-2 healthcare, have resorted to displaying banners stating that EHS cards “will not be accepted” until dues are cleared. Patients are forced to pay upfront and seek reimbursement later, a flawed and often untenable process for illnesses such as cardiac surgery, cancer treatment, or dialysis.

Over 7,00,000 government employees and pensioners stand to benefit from a robust cashless EHS. Including dependents—typically spouses and up to six family members per primary holder—the total number of beneficiaries runs into millions. The projected annual cost of a well-functioning scheme has been estimated, with both employees and the state government prepared to support it through shared contributions.

Today, tens of thousands of families lack meaningful access to cashless care because hospitals refuse EHS cards. Public servants, teachers, and other personnel dedicate their lives to serving Telangana citizens, often in high-stress environments with limited access to preventive healthcare. When they fall ill or pensioners face age-related health crises, the absence of reliable cashless healthcare costs lives, savings, and peace of mind.

To address this, the government proposed the Employee Health Care Trust (EHCT), a cashless health insurance trust with contributions from both employees and the state. The trust promises cashless access, expanded coverage for six dependents, and a governance board including employee representatives. Despite proposals and meetings, millions still wait. A strong, operational EHCT is no longer optional; it is essential to safeguard the health and dignity of Telangana’s public servants.

— Ramesh Paka, General Secretary, Telangana Tahsildar’s Assn. & OSD to Health Minister