SONA 2025: Ramaphosa expected to clarify government's NHI rollout

CAPE TOWN - Just hours before President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to clarify how the government plans to roll out universal health insurance - his ministers don’t appear to be on the same page.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has confirmed reports that a deal has been struck to protect the longevity of private medical schemes.

But while the DA welcomes the move, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi says he knows nothing about this and the role of medical aids under the act is being misinterpreted.

From the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act, the Expropriation Act to the National Health Insurance Act - all so-called redline issues for the African National Congress’s (ANC) biggest coalition partner the Democratic Alliance.

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On Thursday, the party’s spokesperson, Willie Aucamp welcomed concessions he says have been made with Minister Maropene Ramokgopa who’s in charge of the Medium-Term Development Plan to address its concerns.

"All the clauses in the NHI that talked about phasing out private medical aids, they are gone. Private medical aids will continue as they are."

However, Motsoaledi says he knows nothing about these backroom talks.

"Any act of Parliament can’t just be changed by negotiation between two people of two parties. Sitting together as two parties and changing an act of Parliament unilaterally. I’ve never heard about it, unfortunately."

Motsoaledi says once the NHI is fully implemented, private medical schemes will play a complementary role and there’s no intention to collapse them.