Thank you very much House Chairperson, unlike those that are rented by big business who came up with a barrage of propaganda trying to undermine the NHI. The people's glorious movement - the ANC rises in support of the BRRR on the Portfolio Committee on Health.
Health remains a priority for the ANC-led government. It is within this context that we came up with a progressive policy shift since the 1994 breakthrough in the form of a single unified system called the National Health Insurance of which the Bill is going through public hearings as we speak.
As the White Paper notes:
National Health Insurance represents a substantial policy shift that will necessitate a massive reorganisation of the current health care system, both public and private.
It reflects the kind of society we wish to live in; one based on the values of justice, fairness and social solidarity.
Implementation of the NHI is consistent with global vision that health care should be a social investment not a private commodified basic service. Implementation of the NHI is underpinned by the Vision 2030 of the NDP which envisages that by 2030, everyone must have access to equal standard of care regardless of their income and that common funds should enable that equitable access to health care regardless of what people can afford and how frequently they need to use the service.
Therefore, we welcome the recommendation that entities of the department such as the National Health Laboratory Service, NHLS, the Council for Medical Schemes, CMS, as well as the SA Health Products Regulatory Authority, SAHPRA, should provide ... [Time expired.] We support, okay. [Applause.]
Division demanded.
The House divided.