Joint Submission by SECTION27 and TAC on the National Health Insurance Bill

As TAC we support the establishment of a universal health coverage system in South Africa. The aim to make healthcare funding more equal and accessible to all, underpins the values of life, dignity, social solidarity, and risk-sharing that TAC fully believes in and supports. The National Health Insurance — or NHI — was planned as this “promised land of healthcare”.

Sadly though, as it stands, poor structure and implementation mean that universal health coverage won’t be achieved through the NHI. There has been a failure to put in place sufficient checks and balances for the exercise of power, which will inevitably risk corruption.

To raise these concerns, SECTION27 and TAC made a joint submission in accordance with the Select Committee on Health and Social Services’ call for written submissions on the National Health Insurance Bill. This submission is endorsed by the Cancer Alliance, the South African Depression and Anxiety Group, South African Non-communicable Diseases Alliance, and the People’s Health Movement. We were also invited to make oral submissions in the National Assembly in respect thereof.

You can read the full submission here: https://www.tac.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Joint-submission-by-SECTION27-and-TAC-15092023-230915-141640.pdf