The NHI - President's just looking for his pen

8 February 2024, 21:30
Contributor: Linda Ravenhill

Last night’s State of the Nation Address was, predictably, a (R6.5 million) non-event. Delivered in his usual Statesmanlike fashion, the President’s address was little more than a two-hour drone of ANC achievements and yet another slew of promises of good things to come. 

In the weeks leading up to the event, there had been much speculation regarding the future of the NHI Bill. Would he or wouldn’t he sign it in? 

If you didn’t watch, or watched, fell asleep, and missed the 2-minute mention, here it is: the Bill is on his desk, but the President is “looking for a pen.”

The joking reference to his stationary crisis seemed to play well with the ANC MPs but left the rest of parliament stony-faced.

It is difficult to see this as more than electioneering. Realistically, the Bill will likely be held up in courts for years, if not decades, to come. The President did, however, provide the party with a non-delivery safety net: the legislation will be gradually implemented while they figure out the healthcare workforce, medications, vaccines, health technology, and healthcare system. Essentially, everything. It seems like a strange way to run a R800 billion business.

So, while we wait for the PNA to open, that’s the State of the Nation. 

Related Stories

5 February 2023: It's a NO from us, Mr President: Business SA pushes back on the NHI
6 December 2023: Concerns raised as NHI Bill approved by National Council of Provinces


 

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