Parliament approves amendment to National Health Insurance Fund Bill

Accra, Dec. 18, – Parliament on Wednesday passed the National Health Insurance Fund (Amendment) Bill, which provides for the transfer of 20 per cent of revenues accrued to the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, also known as “Mahama Cares.”

Upon presidential assent, the legislation will also discontinue all input tax deductions on the levy collected by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).

The allocation of 20 per cent to the Medical Trust Fund is intended to finance programmes addressing non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which continue to present major public health concerns nationwide.

Debate ahead of the passage saw intense exchanges between the Majority and Minority Caucuses regarding the historical origin of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

The NPP Minority argued that the scheme was introduced in 2003 during the administration of President John Agyekum Kufuor, expanding access to primary healthcare for citizens who had previously been required to make upfront payments for treatment.

The NDC Majority, however, contended that the concept of the NHIS was initiated under the leadership of former President Jerry John Rawlings.

The passage of the Amendment Bill is regarded as an important milestone in strengthening Ghana’s healthcare financing framework and enhancing support for priority health programmes.

GHBUSS