National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill: public hearings day 6

Video: Portfolio Committee on Health, 02 June 2021 NHI: Tracking the bill through Parliament In this virtual meeting, the Committee held public hearings on the National Health Insurance Bill. Three university faculties presented oral submissions. All three faculties supported the initiative of universal healthcare coverage for all South Africans; however they proposed a number of amendments and recommendations in relation to the Bill. The Faculty of Health Sciences at Stellenbosch University stated that the NHI represents major and complex health system reforms, in both the public and private sectors. It argued that a phased approach will allow the time and space for the Health Systems Strengthening interventions (HSS) within a fragile public health system to take root as well as for the incremental launch of carefully crafted innovative models in line with the NHI proposals. It highlighted that the Bill did not make a distinction amongst health professionals, and as a result excluded a number of key role players, such as community health workers, mid-level workers and traditional healers. In terms of population coverage, it suggested that the Bill include asylum seekers, undocumented migrants, students and all children. Suggestions were made in relation to the powers of the Fund - and the necessity of strong financial, legal and administration staff as well as systems. Concern was raised regarding the powers of the Minister. The Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Cape Town stated that the Bill needed to be explicit about health benefits, referral pathways, essential medicines and laboratory lists, areas of disinvestment and the rationalisation of clinical guidelines. Concerns were highlighted regarding the power of the Minister and various suggestions were made in this regard. A number of proposals were made in relation to the advisory committees. It was highlighted that the health facilities were not accredited and this was largely due to a lack of re