Union federation Cosatu has harshly criticised the Department of Health’s proposal to introduce a multi-payer system for National Health Insurance (NHI). The system‚ according to a statement from Cosatu‚ is an attempt by the department to "water down and destroy" the NHI. The statement said the department’s director-general‚ Precious Matsoso‚ has been meeting with leaders of the medical aid schemes to rope them into being part of the NHI. "Cosatu is adamant that, in introducing the NHI‚ there should be no public-private partnerships (PPPs)‚ including the outsourcing of public operations in health facilities‚" the statement said. "We will fight any attempt to introduce any multi-payer system where, instead of a single [NHI] fund that is intended to ensure the rich [subsidises] the poor‚ there would be a number of separate funds or medical schemes organised according to incomes of people and others operated by the private sector." Cosatu said it is committed to ensuring that all worke...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.