Concerns rising as Ramaphosa signals an unchanged National Health Insurance Bill

VAAL TRIANGLE - Private healthcare now faces uncertainty as president Cyril Ramaphosa had used his January 8 statement to signal the imminent enactment of the National Health Insurance Bill without changes. The Health Funders Association has warned the current version of the bill would significantly and negatively alter healthcare dynamics in South Africa, limiting choices and tying citizens to a state-monitored system. Chairperson Craig Comrie believes under the NHI, individuals lose the right to privately pay for covered services, leading to lengthy waiting lists and diminished healthcare access. While many opponents of the NHI Bill are not opposed to the idea of universal healthcare, they have long argued that what is currently contained in the bill is not the way to achieve this. Comrie calls for the exploration of alternative models.

PHOTO: (Supplied)