ANC parliamentary chief whip Pemmy Majodina. (David Harrison/M&G)
ANC parliamentary chief whip Pemmy Majodina has urged those opposed to the National Health Insurance (NHI) plan to give it a chance, saying that, if need be, the governing party could amend the bill which will bring it into effect.
President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to sign the NHI bill into law on Wednesday, having sat on it since December when parliament approved it. The legislation aims to ensure equitable access to quality healthcare.
In February, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana allocated almost R1.4 billion for the NHI grant over the next three years. The health allocation includes R11.6 billion to address the 2023 public health sector wage agreement and R27.3 billion for infrastructure for the period, the minister said in his budget speech.
Godongwana said the allocation for the NHI was a demonstration of the ANC-led government’s commitment to this policy.
While the government has insisted on the bill’s readiness for implementation, its critics, including doctors, the business sector and non-profit organisations, are preparing to challenge it in court. Among the criticisms are that it is unaffordable and is not in line with the Constitution.
Business Unity South Africa has already stated that it is considering taking legal action.
But, speaking on the sidelines of the ANC’s door-to-door campaign in Ekurhuleni ahead of 29 May general elections, Majodina said enough work had been done to ensure the bill would be effective.
“We conducted hearings as is provided by the bill. We went across the country. We got those views. In a democratic country, you must also act based on the majority views.
“We passed the bill based on the majority and submissions during the public hearings. I can’t wait to see the president get a pen and sign off that NHI,” she said.
The bill was important, especially for the poorest of the poor, she said, arguing that the current healthcare system was too expensive for most and universal health coverage would assist the government and bring equality to all South Africans.
“And, therefore, those who still doubt and … panic, they must just calm down. This is their government. When the need arises, we can then amend, if there are certain things that make the Act not implementable. But, at the moment, let’s start it,” Majodina said.
She denied that Ramaphosa was using the bill as a ploy to win votes for the ANC in the elections, saying his previous statements on it had been misinterpreted. Ramaphosa was criticised after he said he was still looking for a pen after journalists challenged his reasons for not signing the bill.
“When the president said he was finding a pen, the president was saying, ‘I’m doing more consultation with other people who have raised concerns.’ [The] president has completed that process of consultation. It is the time to sign,” Majodina said on Tuesday.
“I want to urge all South Africans, let’s put it to the test then, if there are things that are not going correct, we are here in South Africa. We are not going anywhere — there is parliament that can still revisit [it], if there is something that is fundamentally flawed in the Act.”
Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen vowed to take action against the bill, saying the president was signing it this week out of sheer political desperation.
“After months of ignoring the ongoing implosion of ANC support, the party has finally realised that its 50% majority will become a thing of the past at the election on the 29th of May. Out of desperation, it cast around for any populist lever it could pull in the hopes of magically boosting its terminal fortunes,” Steenhuisen said.
“Unfortunately for the people of South Africa, Ramaphosa chose the NHI as the ANC’s last stand before it finally loses power in less than three weeks. It is difficult to think of a more cynical and destructive move. It is a dishonour to the office of president that Ramaphosa could sink this low.”
Steenhuisen said the DA had been preparing for this moment for many months, adding: “That is why I am now in a position to make the following announcement. The Democratic Alliance will, upon its signing into law by Ramaphosa, challenge the ANC’s NHI all the way to the constitutional court.
“Our legal team was briefed months ago already and will file our legal challenge against this devastating legislation without delay.”