The ministry said ‘The Clinical Establishments (Central Government) Rules, 2012’ were framed to “achieve” the mandate of Article 47 of the Constitution, which deals with the Directive Principles of State Policy. “The legislative framework seeks to prescribe minimum standards of facilities and services while ensuring that patients are informed of the charges levied by clinical establishments. The government said that the impugned provision “does not purport to prescribe uniform prices, rather a range of prices” but “enables clinical establishments to adjust their charges based on factors such as infrastructure, quality of service and patient demographics”. “This framework aims to balance affordability for patients with the financial sustainability of healthcare providers, promoting a more equitable and efficient healthcare system. Reminding that ‘health’ is a State subject, the Centre said the Clinical Establishments Rules “will be applicable only when the Act is adopted and made applicable in a particular State or Union Territory.