What is the NHI?
The NHI is a financing system that will pool funds from government and tax bases into a central fund solely controlled by the health department, that will purchase health services to meet the needs of the population.
The NHI is “ The National Health Insurance (NHI) is a health care financing system that is designed to pool funds to actively purchase and provide -access to quality, affordable personal healthcare services for all South Africans based on their health needs, irrespective of their socioeconomic status.” http://www.health.gov.za/index.php/national-health-insurance-right-menu?download=3583:bill-national-health-insurance-2019
When will the NHI start?
A pilot programme to strengthen the NHI implementation was rolled out in 2012, through a series of rollouts, the full NHI is meant to be in effect by 2026.
What does the NHI mean for me?
It means access to a financially secure way of accessing equitable healthcare. With the NHI everyone has access to the same services and service providers when needing primary health care. People pay a fee into the NHI fund according to their financial means, but access to health services is not determined by how much money you have
How can I learn more about the NHI?
Visit amandla.mobi to read more on our submission, or read the NHI bill for yourself here gov
http://www.health.gov.za/index.php/national-health-insurance-right-menu#
Can you put me on the NHI?
amandla.mobi is not connected with government, or the NHI. Parliament is currently asking for public comment on the NHI Bill. If NHI is passed, then it will be implemented over time with everyone having access to the NHI. You can’t sign up the NHI now. For more information on the NHI you can contact the Department of Health.
I heard the NHI pilot was a disaster?
That’s why it is more important than ever that we the people are involved with this process of public comment, and that we continue to hold government, the private sector, and others accountable to make sure the NHI delivers quality healthcare for all.
I don’t trust public clinics/ hospitals etc, isn’t it safer and better to get on medical aid and access private health services?
The Competition Commission has been investigating private healthcare providers and just released their report. It has been exposed that medical aids are profiteering and consumers are not getting good value for money.
I’m worried the NHI will not work because of corruption:
Government has just launched the Health Sector Anti-Corruption Forum. The forum will involve civil society, SIU, NPA and health bodies to work together and watch out for corruption and act. The forum will work to address corruption and state capture, not just in public hospitals, but also in the private sector as the Competition Commissions Health Market Inquiry has exposed overpricing and overtreatment in the private sector.
But more needs to be done to stop the fat cats and companies from corrupting the NHI. We are calling on our leaders to do the following to reduce corruption in our health system and the NHI.
Inequality and corruption are linked, and in SA corruption is both a feature of the private and public sector. Austerity and conservative economic policies are not going to reduce inequality, but progressive ideas such as the NHI could reduce inequality.
But this will only be achieved if the NHI fund is accountable and can’t be captured by either the public or private sector. Measures such as regulation can ensure the accreditation of service providers. The accreditation process needs to be in line with the NHI’s goal to serve people, and give satisfactory health services to shown +-health needs. Civil society must have enough mechanisms and representation to stop the NHI fund from being captured by greedy companies, fat cats, corrupt politicians or unaccountable bureaucrats.
How will the government/ National treasury finance the NHI ( National Health Insurance)?
Section 49 ( Chapter 10) of the NHI Bill reveals that the chief funding for the system will be procured through general taxes, a re-allocation of tax credits and a payroll tax, calculated according to income levels.
Why do we need the NHI?
Healthcare is a human right – this is a widely accepted international principle. This right should not depend on how rich we are or where we happen to live. The right to obtain healthcare is written into our Constitution.
http://www.health.gov.za/index.php/national-health-insurance-right-menu#
Do we know which healthcare services will be provided within the NHI?
The NHI will offer all South Africans and legal residents access to a defined package of comprehensive health services.
According to Section 40(1) of the Bill; There will the Fund in the NHI which will establish an information platform to enable it to make informed decisions on population health needs assessment, financing, purchasing, patient registration, service provider contracting and reimbursement, utilisation patterns, performance management, setting the parameters for the procurement of health goods, and fraud and risk management.
How will the payment of health care providers be determined?
Section 41 of the Bill provides for provisions for the payment of health care service providers.
After my public submission, what will happen next?
The NHI Bill will be tabled in Parliament and will be in the hands of the Portfolio Committee on Health, which will hold formal hearings in early 2020. There will also be a parallel process within NEDLAC, which will create further opportunities for business, labour and government to engage in the final content of the Bill. We expect the Bill to be finalised sometime during 2020 at the earliest.