bills to improve access to healthcare approved
21 April 2008
 
The legislations are the National Health Amendment Bill, which determine tariffs for private health services, and the Medicine Control Amendment Bill, which determines the functioning of the Medicine Control Council.  According to the Department of Health, the escalating cost of private health care services in South Africa has been highlighted as of great concern as it undermines the right of access to health care for millions of South African consumers.

“The department engaged with the private health sector on this matter and it was agreed that there was a need for government involvement in addressing these challenges as the sector had not been able to find solutions through self-regulation,” said department spokesperson Sibani Mgadi on Friday. The National Health Amendment Bill is a proposal from the department aimed at achieving as a minimum transparency on the costs forming the basis for prices and removal of conflicts inherent in the current price setting framework.

The Bill also seeks to prevent unjustified cost escalations and unfair, collusive and undesirable business practices.  Currently, medical schemes are obliged by law to pay in full for services relating to the Prescribed Minimum Benefits (PMBs).   Mr Mgadi, however, said the determination of prices of the services relating to PMBs was not regulated.

He said the Health Ministry will consider the fees agreed upon through the facilitation process and those determined by the Tribunal.
“If satisfied, the Minister [Manto Tshabalala-Msimang] will publish these schedules in the Government Gazette and no person shall charge a fee higher than the published fee for PMBs,” said Mr Mgadi.  The Bill also aims to ensure that the Medicine Control Council functions effectively and efficiently.

Both these Bills were published in the Government Gazette on Friday and all interested parties and members of the public are urged to submit their comments to the department within the next month.  These comments will be considered in the finalisation of the Bill for tabling in Parliament.

Luyanda Makapela, www.buanews.gov.za