The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Minority in Parliament has declared that it is not opposed to the passage of the Mahama Cares Bill under a certificate of urgency.
However, the Minority, led by Hon. Kingsley Agyemang, MP for Abuakwa South, insisted on a more rigorous and sustainable funding framework, particularly regarding the proposal to draw 20 percent from the National Health Insurance Fund.
“One out of two deaths that happen in this country is as a result of an NCD, non-communicable disease. This has created a lot of multi-morbidity that has a negative impact on performance and the general protection of the nation”
“We are not opposed to any system of financing that will help improve the health care of our people”
Hon. Kingsley Agyemang, MP for Abuakwa South
Hon. Agyemang stated plainly that the current proposal to dip into funds of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) lacks the necessary actuarial basis and may undermine the objectives of the program.
The Minority noted that the financing system proposed must be comprehensive and grounded in realistic economic assessments. They cautioned against using a hasty financial vehicle lacking adequate data and risk analysis.
Relying on section 2 of the NHIS law, which identifies the objective of attaining universal coverage for Ghanaians, Hon. Agyemang said it is unclear whether this core objective has changed.
He questioned how the proposed bill aligns with that mandate, noting the absence of a credible actuarial memorandum to support the 20 percent deduction from the existing NHIS fund.
“The real thing is that this is about health financing and it is important to have a more regular source of financing,” Hon. Agyemang explained, stressing the tenets of a proper insurance provision for reconsideration of the proposed method.
He argued that such a significant policy as the Mahama Cares must be set up on the right funding principles.
Arbitrary Percentage
Hon. Agyemang strongly criticized what he described as the arbitrary decision to deduct 20 percent from the NHIS fund, questioning the basis for selecting this figure and warning of its implications on service provision.
“This is like turning a triangle within a circle. The space displayed is the same. How did we even arrive at this variable called 20 percent from the National Health Insurance Fund?”
Hon. Kingsley Agyemang, MP for Abuakwa South
He warned that mistakes from past health financing policies must not be repeated, especially since the current arrangement threatens to reduce the NHIS’s capacity to provide services effectively and efficiently.
The Minority also criticized the planned expenditure items under the new fund. According to Hon. Agyemang, the fund’s proceeds would be used to “establish a secretariat, finance compensations, and undertake other capital expenditures” – all of which will draw from an already overstretched NHIS.
“They are all alluding to the problems that the National Health Insurance Authority is going through. But if you are bringing up a fund that is taking 20 percent from the primary to finance an objective that is already not well taken care of, then what are you doing?”
Hon. Kingsley Agyemang, MP for Abuakwa South
He concluded by pointing out that the funding sources for the new initiative were unreliable and unsustainable, referencing reports that donations were being sought even from NHIS staff to support the scheme.
“We are appealing to our colleagues. We have to be more rigorous going forward on some of these sources. Mr. Speaker, this cannot be the way to go”
Hon. Kingsley Agyemang, MP for Abuakwa South
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