Taxpayers flag NHI concerns
An overwhelming majority of taxpayers feel that the National Health Insurance (NHI) system will have a negative impact on healthcare in SA.
This was one of the findings in a survey carried out by Tax Consulting SA, with the NHI raising many questions about who will fund it and what impact it will have on healthcare workers and patients in the long run.
President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the NHI Bill into law on 15 May, days before the elections.
IoL reports that the implementation of the NHI is expected to be gradual, taking place through various stages over many years. It also faces the threat of numerous legal challenges, particularly from within the private healthcare sector.
In the survey, 84% of respondents said they opposed the NHI, believing that it would result in higher costs for taxpayers and less access to quality healthcare.
A further 82% of respondents felt that the NHI would have a negative effect on healthcare in SA, showing a lack of confidence in the government’s ability to implement it effectively and improve both access and standards.
Another 81% of the respondents felt that the implementation of NHI would lead to a significant number of medical professionals emigrating to other countries, leading to staff shortages in local healthcare facilities.
Article disclaimer: While we have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of this article, it is not intended to provide final legal advice as facts and situations will differ from case to case, and therefore specific legal advice should be sought with a lawyer.
