Legislation: NHI Bill public hearings process explained

Media reports of plans to hold provincial public hearings this year on the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill appear to overlook the nuances of the thinking behind this process, writes Pam Saxby for Legalbrief Policy Watch. A Parliamentary Monitoring Group (PMG) sound recording of a meeting last Thursday at which National Assembly Health Committee chair Sibongiseni Dhlomo announced what is envisaged confirms, among other things, that several stakeholders have already approached the committee for more time to prepare detailed written submissions and, subsequently, to present their views during parliamentary hearings. These stakeholders have apparently been informed, in writing, that their requests are being considered. Given the importance of allowing members enough time to study these submissions and others already received, according to Dhlomo it seems likely that parliamentary hearings will only take place next year – possibly also allowing more preparation time for those requiring it.

Meanwhile, members of the public will air their views during provincial hearings scheduled to begin on 25 October in Mpumalanga, as Legalbrief Today has already reported (IoL). This has since been confirmed in a committee media statement also noting that hearings in the Northern Cape province will follow on 1 November. Although dates for the remaining provinces have yet to be announced, four days have been allocated to each province thus far. According to the PMG recording, National Assembly House chair Cedric Frolick was approached in writing with the entire proposal, which Dhlomo then spelled out on Thursday to his committee. He also drew members’ attention to the importance of hearing first-hand the perspectives, concerns and expectations of ordinary South Africans before considering those of stakeholders with the resources to make more detailed written submissions and travel to Parliament to present them in person.