South Africa's Health Insurance Bill Now Goes to President

South Africa's National Health Insurance Bill has been passed in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP). The controversial legislation now goes to President Cyril Ramaphosa, who must decide what to do next.

Marianne Merten of the Daily Maverick writes that according to the country's Constitution, a president can return a law to Parliament over procedural issues and concerns that it may not meet constitutional muster. Or he can refer the legislation directly to the Constitutional Court for a decision on its compatibility with South Africa's supreme law.

At a media briefing on Wednesday immediately after the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) passed the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill, Health Minister Joe Phaahla said the legislation would be implemented in stages once it got the presidential nod.

In June 2023, opposition parties raised concerns over the African National Congress's approval of the NHI Bill, citing potential corruption and public health facilities' general unreadiness. Section 27 of the country's constitution states that everyone has the right to access to healthcare. The NHI bill, which has been passed by the national assembly, is the manifestation of this provision, The Conversation wrote.