The Rajasthan Right to Health (RTH) Bill, which became an Act in April, had caused a bitter row following which the State government agreed on some exclusions. Many doctors termed the Act draconian, while public health activists have largely stood by it. But there are certain aspects of the Act that have attracted little discussion, which also make it unfit to be an ideal precedent for other States.
Iterations, before and after
Comparing the two iterations of the RTH Bill, one before and another after the select committee review, is a good starting point for a review. The primary iteration was sent for the select committee’s review in 2022, and the amended Bill was passed on March 21, 2023, which stoked protests. Even a cursory review brings out how the amended version, which sparked the row, was itself a highly moderated version attuned strongly to the interests of the medical community.
