Motsoaledi dismisses reports he will table compromise proposal on NHI
The NHI is one of the biggest sticking points between the ANC and the DA in the Government of National Unity.
FILE: Minister of Health Aaron Motsoaledi. Picture: GCIS
CAPE TOWN - Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has dismissed weekend news reports that he will table a compromise proposal on the implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI) when Cabinet meets at its annual January lekgotla.
It was reported last year that Motsoaledi bumped heads with Democratic Alliance (DA) ministers in Cabinet over rollout and funding plans.
Speaking during the African National Congress (ANC)'s anniversary activities in Cape Town last week, President Cyril Ramaphosa was emphatic that universal health care will be introduced.
The NHI is one of the biggest sticking points between the ANC and the DA in the Government of National Unity (GNU).
But Motsoaledi said he won’t be proposing any plan to the Cabinet lekgotla in attempt to appease those opposed to its implementation.
According to the City Press and Rapport, the minister is said to propose a plan that every working South African to obtain medical aid, while the State will compete to provide cheaper insurance through the NHI.
Motsoaledi has labelled this claim both unfounded and ridiculous.
"There is no such plan from either the ANC nor from government. Any insinuation thereto is the figment of the imagination of either the author of the article or his unknown sources."
Motsoaledi has also dismissed reports that the government will be forcing medical schemes to be cheaper.
He said the next steps will be guided by the health market inquiry and he will soon call a press conference to explain the way forward.