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{
    "id": 355658,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/355658/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 295,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Hon. Speaker, Sir, I know there was an experience in 2002 when, at that time, individual contributors were not allowed in the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF). When they were allowed to join, many people made one contribution and then did not contribute further. But when they fell sick, they were forced to contribute. I think NHIF paid nearly eight times what the contributions were. So, I would appeal to hon. Members not to basically see this in terms of magnanimity; people need care and this is the very basis of insurance. Hon. Speaker, Sir, if hon. Members default and then they pay, in technical terms, it should take some time before they partake of the services. What happens is that you will ensure that all sick people--- You will get what is called “adverse selection” and, in the long run, the insurance will fail. I advise that we do not have a penalty at all, but you do what is always done; that if you have defaulted and then you pay, you take some time before you partake of the services. This will ensure that you do not have a situation where people do not enroll with insurance, but they enroll with those institutions when they are sick. If that is allowed, the insurance will fail in the long run. So, whereas we really must take care of our brothers who cannot afford to pay, we must find ways of supporting people so that they can get healthcare which they do not pay for at the point of delivery. I think many hon. Members have indicated here that what we need is a comprehensive medical scheme or insurance. I, therefore, advise that this Motion should perhaps read “that we reduce or even remove” but when the members pay, there is a time taken before they use the services. Otherwise, we will only be enrolling sick members, and any insurance that does that will definitely fail. Hon. Speaker, Sir, therefore, I wish to oppose this Motion unless it is amended in a way that will protect National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) or any other insurance that is in place so that people do not just pay once, sit, wait and when they fall sick, they pay. Any insurance that does that will surely fail. Thank you, Hon. Speaker, Sir."
}