The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health will on Friday adopt the report on National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill.

The Bill was introduced in Parliament in 2019 and it was subsequently referred to the committee for consideration.

The health committee explained that the Bill sought to realise universal health coverage for all.

“This means that every South African will have a right to access comprehensive healthcare services free of charge at the point of care at accredited health facilities, such as clinics, hospitals and private health practitioners,” it said.

On Thursday the committee considered and adopted the A-List and B-Bill of the NHI Bill after the Parliamentary Legal Advisor presented both documents to the committee.  

The committee explained that the A-List essentially listed all the amendments as agreed to by the committee. The B-Bill reflected all the proposed amendments and comments forming part of the new NHI Bill, it added.

The NHI faces heavy criticism around implementation and its rollout is said by experts and a variety of opponents to threaten the future of private medical aids in South Africa.