Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi

As you know, a new National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme is currently underway. If you think this does not affect you because you already have medical aid, think again. The Health Minister, Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, said yesterday that the law, with no exceptions, would soon require us to contribute towards this scheme once it starts up. This is above and beyond the tax that everybody already contributes.

Here’s the full version:

If you earn above a certain income you will be required by law to make a contribution to the NHI fund. It won’t be possible to opt out of this responsibility. The level of income above which NHI contributions were compulsory will still to be determined by the National Treasury. The NHI aims to give all South Africans and legal long-term residents access to essential health care, regardless of their income.

I know a lot of people will be unhappy about this, but perhaps it is because they’ve never had to deliver their own baby or sleep on a hospital floor.

[Source: Fin24]