South Africa is moving forward with the implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI) bill, despite strong opposition from both within and outside the government. The NHI aims to provide universal coverage through a major overhaul of South Africa's two-tier system. President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the bill before the May election, which saw his African National Congress lose its parliamentary majority. He highlighted the social and economic value of affordable, accessible, and quality health care available equally to all South Africans. Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said that the section of the bill outlines transitional mechanisms would be implemented "immediately", including setting up advisory committees and amending other health-related laws to be in line with the NHI.
The legislation will gradually limit the role of private insurance in South Africa, create a new public fund to provide free access for citizens, and set the fees and prices that private healthcare suppliers can charge for NHI-funded benefits. Supporters call it a generational change to reverse inequality dating back to the apartheid era, but opponents, including big local health insurers, argue that the proposed funding model won't work. Motsoaledi said he would listen to concerns from stakeholders and help people understand the NHI.
One opponent of the bill is the pro-business Democratic Alliance (DA) party, which formerly led the opposition and has now joined the ANC in government. DA leader John Steenhuisen said last month that the NHI continued to be a sticking point for the coalition government and that discussions on it would continue.
