NHI fund to start operating this year
Maternal health services among the first benefits scheme will offer
The government plans to set up a National Health Insurance (NHI) fund this year that may be partially financed by a reduction in the tax subsidy currently given to medical scheme members, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan has announced. This is the first strong signal of progress on the NHI from Treasury since last year’s budget when Gordhan said it would soon issue a financing proposal for the policy, which promises sweeping reforms to SA’s healthcare system. That proposal has yet to materialise, partly because work is still under way to refine the NHI White Paper put out by Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi in 2015. The Treasury said the proposed NHI fund would start with maternal health services, improved psychiatric care and services for the elderly and disabled. It will also provide hearing aids and glasses through the school health programme. These were priority areas identified by Motsoaledi, said Treasury chief director for health and social development Mark Blecher. "It reflec...
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