BUSA leadership met with the President, the Minister and Deputy Minister of Health, and senior officials from the Presidency and the Department of Health to discuss the NHI Act, on Tuesday. The organization representing Businesses in the country says it’s encouraged by the Government’s openness to engage on the substantive concerns raised by Businesses regarding the NHI Act.
BUSA meets with the Government
At the President’s request, BUSA will prepare a proposal detailing solutions to address its concerns as a basis for further engagement with the Government. BUSA’s primary objective is to render the NHI Act workable, affordable, and implementable.
READ MORE: President Ramaphosa signs NHI Bill into law, amid fierce opposition
At the same time, it wants to advance universal health coverage and ensure an equitable healthcare system for all.
BUSA and the Government discuss NHI
Businesses, healthcare providers and a wide range of stakeholders have consistently supported the goal of universal health coverage. Concerns have also been raised about the NHI Act’s potential impact on healthcare, taxpayers, the economy and investor confidence.
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BUSA remains committed to working with the government and stakeholders to shape a solution that serves the best interests of all South Africans through partnership, collaboration, and transparent dialogue.
Excerpt from the Government’s website:
The National Health Insurance (NHI) is South Africa’s strategy to achieve universal health coverage. The NHI is a centralised, national insurance fund from which the government will buy healthcare services from healthcare providers in both public and private sectors. All eligible South African residents, as defined in the NHI Act, will be able to visit these providers whenever they need healthcare, without any payment.
More affordable healthcare
The NHI will make healthcare more affordable, by reducing the cost of healthcare due to the economies of scale that can be achieved by purchasing healthcare for the entire population. Like home or car insurance, everyone will contribute to this fund routinely, whether they need healthcare or not. They can then make a withdrawal from these pooled funds when they need healthcare. Contributions will be made through taxes and special contributions. This will be in line with what each person can afford. “Withdrawals” will be made every time they visit a healthcare provider. When visiting a healthcare provider, they will not have to make any payment, because the NHI Fund will pay for the costs of care.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS: Background on the NHI
