The Mercury reports that the SA Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) has rejected a revised proposal by the Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS) to slightly reduce its 2026 medical aid contribution increase, saying the change does not address underlying financial and governance concerns.
According to Sadtu, GEMS has submitted a revised proposal to the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) to reduce the previously planned 9.8% contribution increase to 9.5%. This change is subject to CMS approval by February 2026. Despite the revision, Sadtu representatives have rejected both the original 9.8% and the revised 9.5% proposals. According to the union, the revised figure does not resolve what it described as deeper problems in the scheme’s long-term planning and disclosure.
Sadtu said “the projections for outer years are unacceptable” and that “GEMS has not disclosed sufficient financial information regarding income and expenditure”. The union noted that this lack of detail made it difficult to properly assess the justification for the increase, even at the reduced rate. While the revised proposal awaits regulatory consideration, Sadtu warned that members would still feel the full impact of the original increase. It noted that “in the interim, the original 9.8% increase will be implemented starting in January 2026”.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Siphesihle Buthelezi at The Mercury
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