Parliament on Wednesday blocked a move by government to withdraw the National Health Insurance Scheme Bill 2019 citing it’s relevance and benefits to the citizens.
MPs during the afternoon plenary session unanimously disagreed with the decision tabled by State Minister of Health for General Duties Hon Robinah Nabbanja, to withdraw the bill on account of “disagreement between government and key stakeholders in the private sector.”
Hon Nabbanja noted that following a meeting between the President and other stakeholders, it was established that there were disagreements on contribution and benefits of the Bill, which are the core objectives of the scheme.
“Honorable Speaker, this is to bring to your attention that on 22nd August 2019, the NHIB was tabled on the floor of parliament for the first reading. Following this, HE the president held a meeting with the Ministry of health ans other key stakeholders from the private sector, the NSSF and the Insurance Regulatory Authority to confirm whether all key stakeholders were in consensus. However, it came out that some key stakeholders from the private sector were still not in agreement with the provisions under part five -Contributions and benefits in the bill yet this is the core objective of the National Health Insurance Scheme” Hon Nabbanja said.
The provisions cited caters for pooling of resources from various categories of the population and ensure low subsidies.
Nabbanja said she was asking parliament to allow gov’t withdraw the bill as the ministry undertake further consultation and analysis based on a study conducted by Insurance Regulatory Authority in 2019. She said government will reintroduce the bill when the outstanding issue is concluded.
MPs however raised objections against the move by government claiming it is unfair to withdraw the bill whose objective is intended to majorly benefit the poor. The MPs also pointed out that the stakeholders mentioned by the minister were adequately consulted and are shocked by the sudden move to withdraw the bill.
The NHIS bill according to its proponents will help protect Ugandans from financial hardship when seeking services. It is composed of three sub-schemes, including social health insurance, community-based health insurance (CBHI), and private-commercial health insurance, which will be implemented concurrently.
“This matter have been in parliament for over last 10 years; it gave hope that government is finally serious… I am wondering why that change of heart otherwise we are giving a mixed message whether government is committed or not” Buliisa MP Hon Stephen Mukitale said.
“It took us time to push this; There were wide consultations madam Speaker! I am surprised that now we are moving back because some insurance companies were not consulted… We consulted widely in the Ministry of Health and when we tabled it in cabinet we had to again go back and consult” Former Health Minister Hon Sarah Opendi said.
Opendi said 40 percent of Ugandans still spend on health care despite available free health care services, and therefore the health insurance scheme would go a long way to curb the heath expenditures government is supposed to meet.
MPs in unison voted to move on with the bill despite government position and the house moved to adopt the committee report and send the bill to committee stage. Minister Nabbanja walked out of the house as the house scrutinized the bill for approval.
The NHIS 2019 Bill requires all Ugandans above 18 years to contribute to the scheme before accessing health services across the country.
Employees in the formal sector will be subjected to a 4 per cent deduction from their salaries while their employers will contribute 1 per cent to the health scheme. Individuals in the informal sector will pay a proposed Shs100, 000 annually.
The house went on to pass the bill hoping to have it assented on by the president.