Taking note of statements regarding the concerns and positions against the Bill in its current form from SAMA and the SAPPF, HASA says approving the Bill “without substantive consideration of the many valid and significant recommendations and contributions made by many participants during the Parliamentary hearing is deeply regrettable and a missed opportunity by the Committee.”
It emphasises while there is broad support for universal access to quality healthcare and a willingness to engage with government to collectively craft the best possible legislation, ignoring the many who voiced their concerns regarding governance structures and operational efficiency concerns, the concentration of risk in a single-payer system in an unstable economy featuring endemic corruption, and the many other concerns raised by its own attorneys, is short-sighted and highly unwise.
“Passing such vast, complicated, risky, and consequential legislation requires confidence, trust, and collaboration among all stakeholders. The approach taken undermines confidence and poses a threat to trust,” HASA added.
The association urged the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces in their deliberations on the Bill to insist on a multi-payer model to mitigate against the concentration of risk, an iterative rollout based on milestones rather than dates and to pay heed to the nation’s concerns that the proposed NHI Fund is susceptible to theft and corruption by proposing and approving alternate and appropriate governance structures.
“The healthcare reform decisions taken now will impact the sustainability of South Africa’s health system and will be deeply felt for generations to come,” HASA concluded.