DA leader John Steenhuisen has intimated that his party is considering abandoning the case against President Cyril Ramaphosa’s National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill that was passed in May because of the Government of National Unity (GNU).
Ramaphosa approved the controversial new law promising universal health care for South Africans citizens despite fierce resistance from the DA.
The DA had initially threatened court action, saying that the idea could be expensive and sustain corruption.
The NHI advocates the creation of a state fund to cover the medical costs of all South Africans – most of whom do not have private medical care.
The controversial scheme further bars South African citizens from taking out private health insurance for treatment paid for by the fund.
Speaking to a Sunday newspaper, Steenhuisen said that despite his party being against the NHI, they would think against taking the government to court because they were part of it.
“We have set up a mechanism now where we’re going to try and find each other on it (NHI). And I think at the end of the day, we all want the same thing.
“We all want universal access to basic health care for all South Africans regardless of economic status. And I think we just differ on how to get there. And I hope that the consensus and collaboration will take us to a point where we actually will be able to see universal basic access to health care in our lifetime.
“We will obviously see how the negotiations go within the GNU. Those court proceedings would have been initiated prior to the GNU creation. We’re obviously going to use all of the leverage that we have within the GNU … and again, we are not the only party that has an issue with NHI. We will have to exhaust those processes and you know, before we go ahead and indicate that we will be rushing to court, there is also a very clear indication from the private sector and the public healthcare sector that this is not the best way forward and I think they will be strong allies in (this),” Steenhuisen said.
However, renewed statements from Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi that medical aids will not be allowed to cover health care provided for by the proposed NHI has had the GNU negotiating again.
IOL reported that the ANC, which is behind the NHI, insists the new system will provide more equitable, free health care to all citizens. Medical schemes, business leaders and many civic bodies have objected to the policy in its current form, arguing it is not sustainable or financially viable. The DA has vowed to challenge it legally, while the ANC insists it’s pressing ahead, whether the DA approves or not.
Motsoaledi’s spokesperson, Foster Mohale, played down the DA’s apparent rebuff of the minister.
“They can speak to the president, but any discussion around health policy or health care will have to involve the health minister. He cannot be excluded. We have to remember that the NHI has already been signed into law, so it cannot be withdrawn unless it’s done through Parliament. What will be under discussion now is the implementation of the NHI,” Mohale told IOL in response.
But, a furious DA spokesperson, Michele Clarke, hit back at Motsoaledi. “If Minister Motsoaledi is willing to put a unified government at risk for his ideology, then he should not serve in that government,” she said.
The Star