‘Totally irresponsible’ to adopt NHI Bill in current form

Business Unity South Africa (Busa) and Business for South Africa (B4SA) have called out the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) Select Committee on Health and Social Services’ decision to adopt the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill last week, accusing it of not following proper processes.

Read: Lawmakers pass contentious NHI Bill

The two bodies released a joint statement on Monday reprimanding the committee for failing to consider amendments proposed by stakeholders.

As a result, Busa and B4SA have reportedly submitted letters to the presiding officers of the NCOP and Deputy President Paul Mashatile – in his capacity as leader of government business in parliament – requesting the bill be sent back to the committee for proper engagement with the comments and amendments that stakeholders put forward.

This request comes just a few days before the NCOP is scheduled to consider the bill in a plenary session on Wednesday.

“For the National Assembly and the NCOP to disregard proposed amendments that will have a beneficial and tangible impact on citizens, or indeed would prevent harm to citizens, in the interest of rushing the Bill through Parliament, is unconstitutional. It makes a mockery of due process and portrays the NCOP as nothing more than a rubber stamp,” Busa CEO Cas Coovadia said in a statement.

“Our belief is that the Bill in its current form is utterly unimplementable, and will have severe consequences for South Africa, the economy and every citizen, for generations to come,” Coovadia added.

Questions on how the state plans to fund its universal healthcare ambitions have been raised by stakeholders, including those in the private sector. Many have raised concerns that the country’s shrinking tax base lacks the financial muscle to fund the health needs of the entire population.

Medical aid schemes have also spoken out against Section 33 of the bill, which, although vague, insinuates a reduction of the future role to be played by the private sector in the healthcare industry.

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For the two business organisations, the NHI cannot succeed without a working public-private sector collaboration. They further noted that limiting the role of the private sector places the private healthcare sector at significant risk.

‘Totally irresponsible’

B4SA’s steering committee chair, Martin Kingston, referred to the committee’s actions as “totally irresponsible” and further cast doubt on its motivations, making mention of the upcoming 2024 national elections.

“We recognise that the passing of this Bill is a key aspect of the upcoming election but it must properly take into consideration due process and afford the necessary time and engagement to achieve that.”

“The ramifications are significant. There are bound to be numerous legal challenges to the Bill, and the consequence will be that the NHI will not be implemented at a time when we all agree that it is imperative to address the many challenges facing the country’s healthcare sector,” Kingston said.

He added that the current uncertainty around the future of private healthcare in the country is already impacting investment in the sector.

“By amending Section 33 and clarifying a number of other critical aspects of the NHI Bill, introducing low-cost medical options, and reducing the cost of private care, the country can build a better overall healthcare system with immediate benefit for all. 

“This will attract more capital and investment into the healthcare sector without the Government needing to raise taxes to unsustainable levels or take on additional debt whilst retaining the country’s precious healthcare workforce. 

 “These proposed amendments and reforms will strengthen the NHI, to secure access to quality healthcare for all citizens, for generations to come,” Kingston added.

Kingston and Coovadia sit as directors of the Resource Mobilisation Fund, which was established in March this year to assist with sourcing funding and resources that will capacitate the Presidency’s National Energy Crisis Committee aimed at reducing the rolling blackouts in the country.

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