‘Financially challenged’ NHI expected to undergo reforms soon
With concerns emerging about the sustainability of the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme, Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley said reform is on the way as the government is experiencing some financial challenges with the programme.
The Premier was asked about the over-the-counter (OTC) drugs that NHI recently said it does not cover and how this impacts senior citizens.
While Dr Wheatley said he was not fully aware of what NHI does or does not cover, he reassured residents that NHI reform is on the way.
“We do have some challenges with the NHI from a financial standpoint. I do not want to get too much ahead of the Minister of Health, but we do have to provide some assistance to the NHI to be able to meet their obligations to the vendors,” Dr Wheatley said at a press conference on Monday.
“We are going to have reform which will be coming to the House of Assembly soon and we are going to have a proper debate. I am anticipating that the Minister of Health is going to have a discussion with stakeholders about the future of the NHI and what really needs to happen to make sure that the NHI is working for the people it was intended to serve,” the Premier added.
While Dr Wheatley said he was not fully aware of what NHI does or does not cover, he reassured residents that NHI reform is on the way.
“We do have some challenges with the NHI from a financial standpoint. I do not want to get too much ahead of the Minister of Health, but we do have to provide some assistance to the NHI to be able to meet their obligations to the vendors,” Dr Wheatley said at a press conference on Monday.
“We are going to have reform which will be coming to the House of Assembly soon and we are going to have a proper debate. I am anticipating that the Minister of Health is going to have a discussion with stakeholders about the future of the NHI and what really needs to happen to make sure that the NHI is working for the people it was intended to serve,” the Premier added.
