All avenues are considered to fight NHI
16 August 2019
Solidarity announced today that it is considering all avenues to fight the damaging effects the implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI) will have.
Morné Malan, Senior Researcher at the Solidarity Research Institute (SRI) explained: “The NHI in its current format is heading for an unquestionable disaster. All medical practitioners, taxpayers and South African citizens will be affected negatively by this. Therefore, we undertake to use all resources at our disposal to combat the impact of it.”
Solidarity will provide input at any public participation process to address the bill’s shortcomings but will also prepare accordingly if the bill is accepted in its current, condemning format. “We are currently investigating all formal processes through which we could fight the proposed law, and already gave our legal team instruction to test the constitutionality of the current format in court, should it not be amended as desired. The history of the NHI is characterised by an unwillingness from the Department to deviate from their initial plan therefore, we are preparing ourselves to address that proposal, if necessary, in the Constitutional Court. We have been involved with and studying the NHI for two years now. We are trusted with the information and ready to, if necessary, fight.”
In addition to participating in the formal legal processes that accompany the process of the NHI ratification, Solidarity is also investigating alternative systems that can function should the NHI in its current format acquire the power of law.