Stop the illegality over NHIS proposed formula – NDC MPs to Gov’t

The Minority National Democratic Congress (NDC) Caucus in Parliament is calling for the immediate withdrawal from the legislature the proposed 2017 National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) formula.

In their view, the proposed NHIA Fund formula in its present state is at variance with the National Health Insurance Act, 2012, Act 852, since there is no Board approval to that effect.

Per Section 42 of Act 852, the formula is to be presented to the House after the Board of the NHIA has considered and approved it.

Section 42 (1) of the Act establishing the NHIA states that “The Authority shall allocate and disburse moneys from the Fund in order to achieve the objective of the fund.”

Section 42 (2) also states that “The Authority shall within three months after the passing of the Appropriation Act submit to Parliament for approval the formula for the disbursement of the fund.”

Section 42 (3) further states that “The Authority shall in the preparation of the formula and disbursement of moneys from the Fund ensure the sustainability of the Scheme.”

But this provision, according to the Minority NDC MPs, has clearly been violated by the government since there is no governing Board of the NHIA to sanction the proposed formula.

Addressing a press conference over the issue, the Ranking Member on Committee on Health, Hon. Joseph Yieleh Chireh, said it beats the imagination of the Minority side of the House for the Akufo-Addo-led government to blatantly disregard the law and do things their own way.

According to him, in the absence of the Board for the NHIA, approval of the proposed formula will be illegal and against the National Health Insurance Authority Act, 2012, Act 852.

“The failure of the Ministry of Health or for that matter the Government of the NPP under President Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo to constitute a governing board for the National Health Insurance Authority six clear months after taking power is either a demonstration of incompetence or a lack of urgency contrary to the claim by the President that he is a man in a hurry.”

“The failure to adhere to laid down procedure and disrespect for laws, institutions and structures in seeking approval of the 2017 NHIA formula is yet another manifestation of the lawlessness that has characterized this particular NPP administration despite the self-touting of its credentials as a political party that believes in the rule of law,” Hon. Yieleh Chireh posited.