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NHI Bill gathers momentum in parliament, despite opposition parties giving it the thumbs down

Details

parliamentNews24 reports that the Portfolio Committee on Health has voted to move forward with the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill, with ANC MPs using their majority by voting for the bill to be debated in Parliament.

The vote means the bill is one step closer to being brought into law. Wednesday's vote, which saw all ANC MPs voting to move the bill forward, was rejected by opposition MPs. The NHI Bill envisions universal healthcare by establishing a NHI Fund. According to the committee's bill summary, the fund would purchase healthcare services for registered users to equalise access to healthcare. Talks about the NHI began as early as 2019 when Parliament first held a presentation by the health department. Opposition political parties rejected the committee's decision to move forward with the bill, saying the NHI would not address healthcare inequalities in its current form. The DA said the state would be left bankrupt by the insurance plan. According to DA MP Michele Clarke, the bill did not provide any solutions, and the state could not procure services ethically without corruption. "The DA will continue to fight the NHI Bill with everything in our power. We encourage all South Africans to oppose the NHI Bill and to sign our petition. The bill in its current form – and under ANC management – will never be the answer to universal healthcare in South Africa,” Clarke asserted. The EFF shared similar concerns that the bill lacked a clear outline of solutions for the country's struggling healthcare system. The party said that, despite its support for universal healthcare, the NHI, in its current form, would only help the private sector to access public money. The bill will now be debated by Parliament, where it will likely be voted on and passed.

  • Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Zintle Mahlati at News24
  • Lees ook, NGV nog ’n tree nader aan werklikheid, by Maroela Media


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