Management of the National Health Insurance Authority are proposing amendment of the act establishing the NHIA to divert levies in the Authority’s accounts.
Presently, proceeds from the National Health Insurance Levy are accrued in the consolidated accounts to be released to the authority after certification from the Finance Ministry.
Chief Executive Officer of the NHIA, Dr Dacosta Aboagye believes about eight billion cedis accrued through the NHIL could be invested in healthcare delivery annually if the existing order is reversed.
“The NHIL which you and I pay for must be sent to the NHIL accounts. If the Finance Minister and GRA were releasing the funds, it would go a long way to help the people,” he said.
Dr Aboagye was speaking at the 24th Annual Public Lecture of the Ghana Medical Association themed; “Developing a holistic healthcare financing for the ordinary Ghanaian: Beyond the National Health Insurance Scheme.”
Per the Act 650 establishing the NHIA, a levy charged at two and half percent on goods and service provided in the country or imported is imposed for the effective functioning of the scheme.
Despite the capping of the fund, it is expected an amount of GH₵7.9 billion is accrued through the NHIL, but the budget allocation to the scheme stands at GH₵6.8 billion.
Some stakeholders in the health sector have already made proposals for the levy to be directed into the NHIL’s account.
Minister, Dr Bernard Okoe Boye says the proposals are being considered to ensure the scheme stays robust.
Statistics from the NHIA reveals 28 million people are enrolled on the scheme, with 17.8 million of the members active.
In reforming the scheme, healthcare providers have tabled complaint of low tariff resulting in what is widely known as copayments.
Dr Dacosta Aboagye outlined measures being adopted to resort to an automatic adjustment formula in seek of lasting solution.
“The automatic price adjustment means that depending on the current economic situation, we will set up a tariff review committee who will review the prices of items and services based on economic situation or inflation,” he added.
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