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{
    "id": 1092232,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1092232/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 277,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mathioya, JP",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Peter Kimaru",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13427,
        "legal_name": "Peter Kimari Kihara",
        "slug": "peter-kimari-kihara-2"
    },
    "content": "Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, the other important part is Section 22. My feeling is that since the NHIF is now a statutory mandatory cover, it should be able to cater for the primary cover care. The insurance should, therefore, be allowed to pay net of the NHIF. This is extremely important so that there are synergies. Uptake of insurance has been very low in this country. Medical insurance has actually been a loss-making field for a very long time. I am encouraged to see that with the NHIF Bill, the people we want to net into this will bring in a huge reserve fund that can cater for many. My expectation is that, as the fund expands, the NHIF should also be able to subsequently expand the coverage for its members to ensure that, apart from the inpatient coverage in wards, they can also offer an out- patient medical cover. The issue of the management of the fund will be critical. It would be good to see them bringing in systems that can ensure accountability. As employers, we have deadlines within which to pay the NHIF contributions. That is welcome. It should not be punitive to members when they are late. As Hon. Robert Mbui has said, perhaps, that should be progressive. On the other side as well, we have noted many instances where claims that are already admitted by the NHIF take too long to be paid to the service providers. I, for one, have been approached by healthcare providers in my constituency like Kiriaini Mission Hospital, who are sometimes owed humongous amounts of money by the NHIF. That now boils down to the services that they can provide. This being one of the hospitals that provides services to my people in Mathioya, we want to ensure that in the same way that the NHIF gives deadlines in terms of payment of contributions, all admitted claims should also be paid within certain periods of time so as to ensure that those institutions are able to run, provide medicine and expand their services. When we see those institutions grow, it becomes extremely welcome. I know there have been huge concerns about fraudulent claims. I believe the NHIF should be able to determine institutions where fraudulent claims come from and ensure that those are curtailed from the services or, at least, legal action is taken. There should be a way of dealing with those issues so that those that are admitted can be paid on time. With the expanded room in the NHIF, that should enable the organisation to grow. The funds must be well-managed. We want to ensure that they pay claims on time. We would also want to ensure that there is also healthy competition among the insurers, which are very big bridges in the area of healthcare. With those two and even the other issue that was raised by Hon. Mbui on Section 24 on equipping the health service providers, there must be a clear way, right from the outset, on how they will go about that and how they will determine which institution to give kidney machines or those other health facilities. This can be a grey area. It is an area that needs to be managed well and should not be rushed. There must be a clear system. Otherwise, right now, that is an area that should be dropped. Otherwise, I support."
}