FMF NEWSLETTER 27 January 2021

Targeting medical scheme reserves for vaccine funding is NHI by stealth – Michael Settas

Pat Sidley’s article “Medical scheme reserves: A shot in the arm for mass Covid-19 vaccination campaign” (Daily Maverick 11 January 2021) raises several aspects of historical and current contention in the private healthcare industry. No doubt some of her points are valid, but they have also raised a few questions, potentially requiring a more nuanced appraisal of the history of medical schemes, government’s policy on healthcare funding and the contentious National Health Insurance (NHI) proposal.

Sidley appears to be at ease in presuming that the overcharging of vaccines for medical scheme members — in order to subsidise uninsured citizens — is appropriate. In the context of the nation’s current dire situation in battling the Covid-19 pandemic, she may well be correct. But we should be cautioned against potentially treating this glibly if that is indeed the stance from medical schemes. If schemes fail to apply their minds collectively, there is considerable risk in the proposition manifesting precedence for future policy discussions.

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Constitutional rights and their limitations: A critical appraisal of the COVID-19 lockdown in South Africa (African Human Rights Law Journal) – Martin van Staden

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FMF articles
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Increased trade - exactly what Africa needs post-Covid-19 – Chris Hattingh
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Africa's new Free Trade Agreement could mark the dawn of a new era – Chris Hattingh
Bezos-Musk wealth dance shows the folly of worrying about 'inequality' – Martin van Staden
South Africa's Constitution does not envision socialism, but freedom – Martin van Staden

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Khaya Lam media release – Personal touch in the presentation of title deeds in Pniel - FMF’s Khaya Lam and Stellenbosch Municipality

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