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{
    "id": 1092615,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1092615/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 372,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Chepalungu, CCM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Gideon Koske",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13318,
        "legal_name": "Gideon Kimutai Koske",
        "slug": "gideon-kimutai-koske"
    },
    "content": " Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, this is a very important amendment that this House is considering. The UHC means that all individuals and communities receive the health services they need without suffering inability due to financial hardships. The WHO provides that the UHC program is to provide healthcare for all without discrimination based on financial ability or other factors. It is important to note that the informal sector, which constitutes 83 per cent of the Kenyan work force, has remained under voluntary contribution to the NHIF. That means the people who are benefiting from the NHIF are about 17 per cent of the population, leaving out the entire population of 83 per cent without the ability to join the scheme. In the event that an employer or those who are in the formal sector fail to remit the required contributions, an employee incurs some costs while seeking treatment. This amendment Bill provides for employers to compensate the employee the cost incurred while seeking treatment. The same WHO has been explicit that countries should prioritise four key actions to finance UHC. This is by reducing direct payments at the healthcare facilities, maximise mandatory pre- payments, establish large risk bills and use general Government revenue to cover those who cannot afford to contribute. This Bill makes provisions for the empowerment of healthcare providers to ensure that quacks and substandard healthcare service providers do not serve Kenyans. In this regard, the Bill empowers the NHIF Board, in consultation with the relevant accredited bodies, to publish in the Gazette, a panel of healthcare providers. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, in the next amendment, I have the same thought as per what this has already mentioned, namely, the Insurance Fund Act No.9 of 1998. I would like to introduce a Bill to amend the same Act, especially No. 9 of 1998. I will finish preparing the amendments within some days, so that during the Committee of the whole House, they can be included. I intend to bring the rates payable under voluntary contribution created under Section 20 of the Act within the armpit of the Act, so that amounts payable under voluntary contribution is prescribed under the Act. The amendment will seek to provide that an amount of Kshs300 will be payable under voluntary contribution each month. Also, the amendments will seek to grant the NHIF powers to review the rate after every five years, with the approval of the National Assembly. The NHIF will be required to provide reasons for any proposed review including the expected impact of the review. This has a simple justification. The proposed amendment is intended to ensure that many Kenyans especially persons in the informal sector, those not working, indigent, and cannot afford to make the NHIF contributions, access healthcare services by reducing the rate from the current Kshs500 to Kshs300 per month. This translates to about Ksh10 per day. This will facilitate many Kenyans to have access to healthcare insurance under the NHIF and, therefore, access healthcare more. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}