# Coalition flags gaps in Maharashtra clinical establishments bill 2026-08-13T00:40:14+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet The Jan Arogya Abhiyan (JAA), a coalition of health rights groups, has opposed the Maharashtra Clinical Establishments Bill 2026, saying it drops key patient safeguards from the current 2021 framework. Among the missing provisions: a ban on hospitals withholding a deceased patient's body for any reason, a ban on confining a patient for non-payment, the right for women to have another woman present during examination, and clear rules for treating people with HIV. The JAA also said the draft lacks a district-level grievance mechanism and an independent regulatory body. Health minister Prakash Abitkar tabled the bill on July 3 and referred it to a 21-member joint select committee. The Indian Medical Association had earlier opposed the bill, arguing it would hurt small and medium hospitals. The JAA has urged the government to hold wider consultations and incorporate the 20 patient rights from the National Patients' Rights Charter. The government has invited suggestions till August 20. ## Coverage - hindustantimes.com Tags: grievance redressal, health regulation, hospital accountability, Jan Arogya Abhiyan, Maharashtra clinical establishments bill, patient rights Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/coalition-flags-gaps-in-maharashtra-clinical-establishments-bill/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/coalition-flags-gaps-in-maharashtra-clinical-establishments-bill/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.