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Health CS Susan Nakhumicha has defended the new proposed National Health Insurance Fund regulations.
The CS has told off critics saying the proposed rates of 2.75 per cent will see a majority of Kenyans contribute less to the scheme.
The government has proposed to tax Kenyans 2.75 per cent of their salaries to fund its Health Coverage scheme through the NHIF.
“You are highlighting that it is an increase yet there are people who it is going to reduce. 2.75 per cent is what is going to be charged,” she said.
“For some, there will be an increase and for majority of Kenyans, it is going to be a decrease because we will apply a 2.75 per cent of your income.”
The proposed tax will double NHIF contributions by jobless Kenyans aged 18 from Sh500 to Sh1,000.
Jobless people currently contribute Sh500 monthly but are most of the time unable to pay.
The CS further responded to claims by health unions that the proposed NHIF regulations be subjected to public participation.
The unions in a joint statement last week said the NHIF should agree with Kenyans on how the enhanced contributions will assure them of quality services.
But the CS in a rejoinder said the regulations were subjected to public participation for a window period of 21 days and all submissions were received.
“It is expected that anybody with an issue should have submitted that time. What is happening now is we are putting together all the responses that we received so that then we use it to enhance the regulations.”
The unions had argued that NHIF should explain to Kenyans how the enhancement of contributions will enable them to access quality services without suffering catastrophic financial harm. BY THE STAR