Medical Schemes Amendment Bill

Cheryllyn Dudley MP (ACDP)

Speech by African Christian Democratic Party MP, Cheryllyn Dudley in the National Assembly on Tuesday 30 October 2001:


The African Christian Democratic Party would like to see free or subsidized medical attention for all who cannot afford it but this is not the responsibility of business. It is in fact the responsibility of the church, but while government takes the lion’s share of our salaries through levies and taxes, they have highjacked this responsibility. Therefore health care for the 82% of the population who are not catered for through medical aid schemes should be provided for through subsidies based on “means tests” as is done so successfully in Chile.

The ACDP would like to vote in favour of this bill, which appears to offer the public additional protection, which consumers in South Africa generally do not have. Abuse in this industry has impacted negatively on the economy and individuals, therefore any additional oversight is to be welcomed.

Interference, however in the running of businesses is not desirable and would be detrimental to business, further negatively impacting consumers.

The bill as it stands, creates incentives for people to join medical schemes only when they are sick or old. In addition without a waiting period people are able to move from schemes to scheme, joining low cost benefit schemes and moving to high cost, high benefit schemes only when serious illness threatens. The result of this will be the eroding of all benefits and increases in costs, forcing consumers to once again bare the brunt. Obviously where special circumstances occur, such as retrenchment, these exceptions must be accommodated and can be written into legislation

In spite of these reservations the ACDP will vote in favour of this bill.

As the Minister of Health has a habit of unfairly accusing opposition party members of not having been in the committee meetings when they cannot respond or defend themselves, I place on record my participation in the meetings of the Health committee and remind the Minister that where on occasion members of smaller parties are not present they are in another committee demanding priority at that time. To be fair it should be noted that majority party members attend between one and three committees and smaller party members cover many more. For me that number is eight. It is also relevant to note that such members also have the ability to read and consult with role players, in and outside of committees.

The ACDP also wishes Dr Nkomo all the best in his new appointment and we pray sir, that Gods plan and purpose will be fulfilled in your life.



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For more information please call Cheryllyn Dudley MP at 082 8906520 or ACDP Media Liaison Liza Bloemetje at 082 4781037