State and Counties to pay NHIF Healthcare Cover For the Poor .
National government in collaboration with the county governments are now set to allocate funds that will help meet contributions to the new Social Healthcare Cover Fund (NHIF) on behalf of poor households.
Social Health Insurance draft Bill for 2023 suggests that the government will also cover contributions by persons held in lawful custodies.
The act indicates that in the case of a household in need of financial assistance as determined by the means testing instrument, then the money may be paid by the government at a rate directed from fund allocated by Parliament and county assemblies for the same.
The act also mandates the government to ensure that premium financing products that allow persons to meet contributions through delayed payments are to be available and will be provided to non-salaried persons for the payment of social insurance.
To ensure hat the poor are also taken into consideration the government is expected to effect propelling Universal Health Coverage (UHC) programme across all 47 counties.
Employed persons shall pay a monthly statutory deduction at the proposed 2.75 percent of gross earnings to the above new health scheme.
Individuals or families whose income is not derived from salaried employment are expected to make an annual contribution to the fund.
As per to the act, those who fail to make contributions to the fund shall be liable to a penalty equal to 10 percent of the amount .The payment will depend on the amount due for the period in which it remains unpaid and the total annual contributions.
This Bill is set to mark the end of NHIF and usher in a new regime defined by three separate funds .
The new contribution will be for preventive and primary healthcare,next for primary referrals as the other one covers treatment of chronic diseases.
State and Counties to pay NHIF Healthcare Cover For the Poor .