Business Unity South Africa (Busa) and President Cyril Ramaphosa met this week to address concerns over the controversial National Health Insurance (NHI) Act.
According to the Presidency, the meeting also featured Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, Minister of Health, and Dr Joe Phaahla, Deputy Minister.
“Business and government expressed a shared commitment to the underlying objectives of the NHI, namely to achieve universal health coverage for all South Africans and address inequality in the health system,” said the president’s office.
The president has asked Busa to offer detailed proposals on the remaining issues of concern as a basis for future discussion.
“Government remains committed to engaging with all stakeholders in good faith on the process of healthcare reform, and to finding workable solutions that will advance quality and affordable healthcare for all,” stated the president’s office.
The NHI Act was signed into law in May of this year, with the president describing it as a “milestone in South Africa’s ongoing quest for a more just society”.
“This transformational health care plan builds on our constitutional commitment to gradually provide access to health care services for all residents. At its core, the NHI is a commitment to eliminating the stark disparities that have historically defined who receives adequate healthcare and who is neglected,” Ramaphosa stated.
Two weeks ago, Busa called for a “urgent amendment” to the NHI Act, stating that it was unacceptable in its current form.
The association expressed disappointment that, despite the government’s willingness to engage in the NHI Act, formal discussions had yet to take place.
Busa CEO Cas Coovadia stated that the organization was profoundly worried about the improper rhetoric thrown at those who have expressed legitimate concerns about the NHI Act in its current form.
“Raising these concerns is not only appropriate but in fact, the responsible and necessary course of action to ensure that the path that we choose as a country is both viable and sustainable,” said Mr. Trump.
“We have also been extremely clear in our position that the NHI, as is envisioned in the Act, is unaffordable, unimplementable and unconstitutional, and therefore requires urgent amendment,” says Coovadia.
