BUSA SAYS NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE GREEN PAPER SHOULD BE TABLED IN NEDLAC

BUSA welcomes the opportunity to engage around the Green paper on National Health Insurance (NHI) released yesterday. Although business supports the social imperatives regarding equitable and universal health care, the issues of the cost and design of a health system to achieve these goals require vigorous debate and in-depth consultation in the period ahead.

It is also important that the debate should go beyond the mechanism and quantum of funding for NHI and to focus on the institutional changes that will be needed for the efficient delivery of healthcare in South Africa.

If additional funds are to be allocated to public health, it is imperative that they be effectively used.

BUSA believes that the contents of the Green Paper will have significant implications for household budgets, public finance and the labour market. It is therefore not only essential that the NHI be phased in over a sensible period but also that the Green Paper should be tabled in NEDLAC for deliberation and engagement as soon as possible.

Statement issued by Masego Lehihi, PR and Communications Officer BUSA August 12 2011

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