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{
    "id": 356357,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/356357/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 252,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Mwaura",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13129,
        "legal_name": "Isaac Maigua Mwaura",
        "slug": "isaac-mwaura"
    },
    "content": "Hon. Speaker, Sir, I was talking about reducing the fees from 500 per cent to 25 per cent. As has been said before, this surcharge is aimed at helping members who otherwise would not be able to access any form of insurance to be able to access services in public hospitals. This House is on record on numerous occasions asking for a comprehensive health insurance Bill, which is yet to come to the House. There have were assertions when we were discussing this Motion that, indeed, this is supposed to help the people who are paying directly to NHIF; when they default they are unable to come back to the fold. We have been told that medicare is quite expensive and default is places an undue burden on the NHIF when it comes to clearing the bills of the same members they are supposed to service. This House was informed that the penalty applies to employers who withhold funds that are meant for their employees and they use the money in their businesses. I think it will not be in order to use the plight of individual contributors to cushion entrepreneurs, who are do not follow the rule of law. It was alluded that the 500 per cent surcharge actually encourages corruption. There is no guarantee that even if it was 25 per cent people would not connive with staff or the collector of these funds to get a rebate or a waiver. It will, therefore, not be in order to argue that this surcharge is encouraging corruption. Even at 25 per cent members will still want to negotiate. I suggest that this fees be reduced from 500 per cent to about 200 per cent, so that it is not very high and is also a deterrent to those who would want to come back to the system. I oppose this Motion."
}