The law protects individuals who volunteer to help accident victims from civil/criminal liability and police harassment | Photo credit: FILE PHOTO
The Karnataka government has proposed a structured mechanism for reimbursing hospitals that provide emergency care during the golden hour to those unable to pay and has released draft Karnataka Good Samaritan and Medical Professional (Protection and Regulation During Emergencies) Rules, 2026.
The rules, announced on Friday, seek to operationalize the provisions of the Karnataka Good Samaritan and Medical Professional (Protection and Regulation During Emergency) Act, 2018, which mandates all hospitals, public and private, to extend first aid and stabilization in case of emergency. The government invited objections and proposals within 15 days.
The law protects individuals who volunteer to help accident victims from civil/criminal liability and police harassment. It ensures the anonymity of emergency responders, prohibits mandatory testimony, and mandates immediate free emergency care.
All emergencies
Harsh Gupta, principal secretary (health and family welfare), told The Hindu that the draft rules address the long-felt need for clarity in payments while strengthening protections for Good Samaritans.
Pointing out that the definition of urgent care has been interpreted broadly in practice, the chief secretary said: “It is not limited to road accidents. Heart attacks, strokes, serious injuries, burns, poisoning, obstetric emergencies or any other emergency – the rules now dictate that patients must be stabilized immediately.”
Mr Gupta said: “We want to ensure that no hospital hesitates to provide emergency care during the golden hour due to uncertainty about who will bear the cost. These rules set a clear, time-bound pathway for reimbursement. Our state is probably the first state to announce such rules.”
payment of SAST
As per the rules, if the cost cannot be recovered from the patient or family, the hospital can – within one month from the date of treatment – submit a claim to the Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust (SAST), the state-run health insurance company.
Mr. Gupta said the empaneled hospitals will be paid as per packages under the Ayushman Bharat Arogya Karnataka (AB-ArK) scheme. For non-accompanied facilities, SAST may sanction expenditure at rates admissible under ABArK scheme or latest HBP (Health Benefit Package) rates under PMJAY (Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana), whichever is higher.
“The goal is to keep the process uniform and transparent,” he said.
Appeal mechanism
The proposal also includes an appeal mechanism. Any dispute regarding eligibility or payment may be resolved with the Health Commissioner, whose decision would be final.
The rules also provide for the establishment of the Good Samaritan Fund. In addition to government allocations, it can accept donations and CSR contributions, including support channeled through the Karnataka Road Safety Authority.
The fund can be used to settle hospital claims and to compensate Good Samaritans who may incur travel expenses or lost wages while assisting victims or cooperating with legal proceedings.
“We also want to appreciate the citizens who come forward to help. Saving a life should never become a legal or financial burden,” Gupta said.
Published – 13 Feb 2026 23:39 IST