LETTER: NHI will lead to economic collapse

The Oxford definition of the herd instinct is “an inclination in people or animals to behave or think like the majority”, and in this instance no matter where it leads them, including over the edge of the proverbial cliff (“Litigation threats fly as soon as MPs adopt NHI bill”, May 25).

The idiocy of National Health Insurance (NHI) having even been allowed to enter parliament has put the entire functioning healthcare system at risk, and on the brink of absolute hell should these demented laws be promulgated. All in the name of desperate political expediency politics, with zero regard for the ensuing consequences should this brain-dead scheme be implemented.

SA still has a relatively efficient healthcare system; it has good infrastructure, albeit that much of it is run down due to corruption. It has good, resilient and resourceful people, the majority of whom are desperate [for] tangible economic change, as was demonstrated in the July 2022 unrest.

It is not too late to stop the total economic collapse that will follow should the NHI bill be passed and the ensuing litigation fail to stop it in its tracks. We all accept the fundamental principles of universal healthcare coverage. But there is no need to expropriate R500bn yearly (8,5% of GDP). The tiny taxpayer base that already funds the economy despite being practically disenfranchised, will simply disappear.

With existing technology, R14,5bn a year should be more than adequate to provide the necessary triage needed to give everyone a fair chance in life, with sufficient margin to start rebuilding what has been vandalised.

Richard Blackman
Day1 Health

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