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{
    "id": 1521212,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1521212/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 93,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Endebess, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. (Dr) Robert Pukose",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Further, SHA is actively implementing the following activities to build upon and improve its performance: 1. Data-driven Insights, 2. Incentive programs, 3. Payment systems, 4. Transparency and accountability, 5. Strengthened community engagement, and 6. Long-term financial planning where they develop sustainable financial models that account for population growth, healthcare cost inflation and economic fluctuations. On number Three, the requirement for out-of-pocket payments and its impact on access to healthcare. While SHA aims to reduce out-of-pocket healthcare costs, the Committee noted concerns about instances where patients still incur expenses. To mitigate this, the following activities are being undertaken: 1. Creating awareness and sensitising the public on the applicable benefits and tariffs for informed decision-making in the choice of facility. 2. Reviewing the benefit package and tariffs in collaboration with the benefit package and tariff advisory panel. 3. SHA will submit to Parliament a list of healthcare facilities where patients on SHIF contributions will receive a comprehensive payment without co-payment and with co-payment. Hon. Speaker, on the difference between SHA and Taifa Care, Taifa Care is a Kenyan government initiative aimed at achieving Universal Healthcare Coverage (UHC), ensuring that all citizens access equitable, affordable and quality healthcare services. The initiative focuses on four key pillars: sustainability of healthcare financing, digitisation of health systems, enhancing human resources for health and security of health products and technologies. This programme encompasses a series of legislative measures designed to strengthen the healthcare system and reduce financial barriers for all Kenyans. The key legislative components of Taifa Care are: 1. Primary HealthCare Act, 2. Social Health Insurance Act, 3. Digital Health Act, 4. Facility Improvement Fund (FIF) as enacted by this House. On the other hand, the Social Health Authority was established under the SHIF Act, 2023, with a core mandate of pooling financial resources, risks and strategic purchasing of healthcare services on behalf of the Kenyan people towards strengthening health financing for Universal Health Coverage (UHC) through the management of three funds namely: 1. Primary Healthcare Fund (PHCF) 2. Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) 3. Emergency, Chronic, and Critical Illness Fund (ECCIF). On the status of debts inherited by SHA from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) and plans in place to clear them to ensure seamless service delivery, Hon. Speaker, this is a very important fact because the defunct NHIF owes healthcare providers an estimated Ksh30.9 billion. Additionally, NHIF owes co-insurers Ksh8.137 billion for civil servants' WIBA claims and a further Ksh3.927 billion in accumulated WIBA claims before April 2021. NHIF also has outstanding premium receivables totalling Ksh25.5 billion across various government-funded schemes. These include the civil service medical cover, Linda Mama programme and indigent support as annexed. These delayed payments have disrupted service provision, putting pressure on both public and private health institutions. SHA has been 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."
}