An overwhelming majority of taxpayers feel that the National Health Insurance (NHI) system will have a negative impact on healthcare in South Africa.
This was one of the findings in a survey carried out by Tax Consulting South Africa, with the NHI raising many questions about who will fund it and what impact it will have on healthcare workers and patients in the long run.
President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the NHI bill into law on May 15, 2024, just two weeks before the May 29 elections.
The implementation of the NHI is expected to be gradual, taking place through various stages over many years. It also faces the threat of numerous legal challenges , particularly from within the private healthcare sector.
In the survey, 84% of respondents said they opposed the NHI, believing that it would result in higher costs for taxpayers and less access to quality healthcare.
