'Implementing delayed PRIVATE healthcare reform and widening access quicker than NHI'

As the NHI Bill languishes, awaiting the signature of President Cyril Ramaphosa, the sense of anxiety around the promise of improved healthcare for all is growing

Meanwhile, the Health Funders Association (HFA) is pushing its view that there is a much better option for South Africa.

HFA chairperson Craig Comrie says there is another ongoing delay that is denying at least 2.5 million people who are are currently reliant on public healthcare, the opportunity to access private health services.

This is finalising what are called Low Cost Benefit Options (LCBO).

The Association asserts that, with minor changes relative to the NHI project, progress towards the goals of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) could be made. These would include regular Prescribed Minimum Benefit reviews and finalisation of the LCBO framework.

"That step of reformation was suggested in the late 2000s under a social health insurance scenario. It hasn't yet come to fruition and is being effectively replaced by what is seen as the NHI bill today."

“More than half of medical scheme members have a combined monthly household income below R30 000, and we see the opportunity to increase the affordability of private health cover and greater freedom of choice in healthcare so that every employed person has this security.”

Craig Comrie, Chair - Health Funders Association

Should it become necessary, he says, the HFA will challenge the constitutionality of the NHI Bill and fight for 'the freedom of all South Africans to access healthcare privately'.

According to the Association, it represents some 73% of the country’s more prominent medical schemes and 43% of the the total medical scheme membership base.