The deadline for written submissions on the National Health Insurance Bill has been extended from 1 September to 15 September, Parliament's Select Committee on Health and Social Services has announced.
The NHI Bill is before the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) for concurrence after being passed by the National Assembly in June this year.
Committee chairperson Zoyisile Njadu said the decision was informed by appeals from “relevant stakeholders”, reports News24.
Meanwhile, the Health Funders Association (HFA) believes the NHI has the potential to make or break South African healthcare, depending on the strength of its foundation.
CEO Phumelele Makatini said that fundamentally, every citizen wanted the same thing, and that a functional, quality healthcare system was within reach, but establishing an adequately resourced, sustainable universal system was a complex challenge with which even first world countries grapple.
The South African Medical Association (SAMA) said the NHI fund was insufficient to embody the principle of universal health coverage, and that it supported the concept, but not in its current form.
“The NHI Bill has been developed with disregard to the legitimate concerns and recommendations of experts, particularly on critical issues, like the introduction of contracting units for primary healthcare cups, benefits packages and reimbursement models.
“Accordingly, there are significant concerns with regard to the provision of healthcare services to patients, should the Bill be taken forward,” it said.
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