South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has officially signed the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill into law at the Union Buildings in Tshwane. The bill aims to provide universal health coverage to all South Africans, a move that has been both praised and criticized. Ramaphosa defended the bill against criticism from wealthy individuals and private medical practitioners, who argue that it is unsustainable and inadequately funded. The signing comes just two weeks before a fiercely competitive national election, raising suspicions among opposition parties and civil rights organizations about the timing and motives behind the legislation. Shares in Discovery and other South African medical insurers have slumped following the announcement. Momentum Metropolitan was the first major insurance group to publicly respond, labeling the bill as unsustainable. Legal challenges against the bill are anticipated, with various stakeholders questioning its constitutionality. Health Minister Joe Phaahla stated that healthcare costs have unfairly burdened the most vulnerable in South Africa.
South Africaβs President Cyril Ramaphosa has approved a controversial new law promising universal health care for all. It faces fierce resistance from the main opposition Democratic Alliance (DA), who have accused him of signing its "death warrant". https://t.co/2NOIYlocCv
South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa signed into law on Wednesday a bill that aims to provide universal health coverage, hailing it as a major step towards a more just society two weeks before an election. https://t.co/OHAF5N1r1X https://t.co/coUEHSFVcU
South African opposition reads mischief as Ramaphosa signs health bill https://t.co/OHAF5N1r1X https://t.co/48UbsIlaLj
[COMING UP] Despite opposition, President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed the NHI Bill into law. But controversy looms as opposition parties and Civil Rights Organisations contest its constitutionality. We speak to lobby group AfriForum's Campaign Officer, Louis Boshoff.β¦ https://t.co/xxMoI3IL5A
South African President Ramaphosa has signed into law a bill that aims to provide universal health coverage. https://t.co/Z2UtJijlAK
South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa signed a bill into law that aims to provide universal healthcare. The ratification of the National Health Insurance bill, popular among voters, comes two weeks before a national election https://t.co/weOhZSLfNc https://t.co/QbU42WbnMz
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed into law a bill that aims to provide universal health coverage https://t.co/luArnd72EW https://t.co/yyWOBa15dO
South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa signed into law a bill that aims to provide universal health coverage, hailing it as a major step towards a more just society two weeks before an election that is expected to be fiercely competitive https://t.co/weOhZSKHXE https://t.co/txPoetVYk8
South Africa healthcare law providing free coverage to all dismissed as vote-grabbing stunt https://t.co/rjBg4XZaom
OPINION | Ramaphosa may as well have signed the death warrant of healthcare in SA when he signed the NHI Bill into law, and provided the ANC with a licence to loot on a scale that makes their thievery at Eskom look like shoplifting, writes @jsteenhuisen. https://t.co/Xh5bytKRC3
UPDATE | 'We are not mad, we are outliers': President Cyril Ramaphosa officially signs NHI into law https://t.co/kJmYJo1kj1
South Africa's president approves major health reform law https://t.co/Df77OmQ6Wk https://t.co/JP2JOetMbp
New National Health Insurance Act will be shared national treasure - Ramaphosa https://t.co/wj81s8GH4N
β οΈ SOUTH AFRICA'S PRESIDENT APPROVES MAJOR HEALTH REFORM LAW Full Story β https://t.co/I4mcsvVWI0 https://t.co/NPxlUnPz4g
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa signed a controversial health-insurance bill into law, weeks before his party faces whatβs set to be its toughest election since it came to power three decades ago https://t.co/weOZqgSjWg
President Cyril Ramaphosa has officially signed the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill into law. https://t.co/01e6aBym2A
[ON AIR] President Cyril Ramaphosa publicly signs the National Health Insurance Bill into law at the Union Buildings in Tshwane. The Bill aims to provide universal healthcare to all South Africans. #DStv403 #eNCA https://t.co/lHmlnEmylY
President Cyril Ramaphosa will publicly sign the National Health Insurance Bill into law. Health Minister Joe Phaahla says healthcare costs have unfairly burdened the most vulnerable in South Africa. #DStv403 #eNCA https://t.co/eukheRlpJK
The NHI Bill is being signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa this afternoon. We spoke to some experts this morning, who are questioning the timing of the enactment. #DStv403 #eNCA https://t.co/39XGJYgZ7F
President Cyril Ramaphosa will sign the National Health Insurance bill into law today. Labour and Employment Minister Thulas Nxesi says the legislation is about transforming the health sector. But he could not say how it would be funded. #DStv403 #eNCA https://t.co/xEpJAV4tdM
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has defended plans to sign into law a contentious health care bill. The National Health Insurance bill aims to provide universal health coverage to all, but opponents fear it is inadequately funded. β‘οΈ https://t.co/0CpLr63LUM https://t.co/p4Awubq2me
On Wednesday, President Cyril Ramaphosa will sign the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill into law. Here's a brief explainer of the main points of the NHI. https://t.co/lqHFhEzk2b
[COMING UP] President Cyril Ramaphosa will finally sign the National Health Insurance Bill into law on Wednesday. eNCA's @MasegoRahlaga will be in conversation with UFS senior lecturer in public law, Dr. Larisse Prinses about the impact of the NHI bill. That's at 2pm on eNCA,β¦ https://t.co/gL5Vg3OQcY
[COMING UP] What is the impact of the National Health Insurance bill on medical aids? And what needs to be changed/amended in NHI? We get a reaction from Profmed CEO Craig Comrie on #AllAngles at 1:15pm. That's on eNCA, channel #DStv403. https://t.co/apYOxgjqEn
[COMING UP] eNCA's @MasegoRahlaga speaks to Momentum Metropolitan Health's Damian Mchugh on their media statement about the signing of the NHI bill. Catch the interview live, shortly at 12:30pm on eNCA, channel #DStv403. https://t.co/60TzOa50Sf
[COMING UP] eNCA's @MasegoRahlaga speaks to Momentum Metropolitan Health's Damian Mchugh on their media statement about the signing of the NHI bill. Catch the interview live shortly at 12:30pm on eNCA, channel #DStv403. https://t.co/pwk5L1aP31
President Cyril Ramaphosa is signing the National Health Insurance Bill into law today. eNCA editor Aakash Bramdeo believes that even those who are opposed to NHI would still admit that every citizen deserves quality health care. Watch here: https://t.co/2RMlysrgfn https://t.co/8Y8hGaDe9z
All eyes will be firmly on President Cyril Ramaphosa when he finally signs the much-anticipated National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill into law at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Wednesday. | @MandaKhoza https://t.co/kLHQQsWXgA
South African private doctors interviewed by News24 say they vehemently oppose the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill, which is set to be signed into law on Wednesday. | @AMbokotho https://t.co/hYiTKp9eY5
President Cyril Ramaphosa has slammed "well-to-do, rich people" who criticise his decision to sign into law the National Health Insurance Bill on Wednesday - 13 days before the May general elections. | @MandaKhoza https://t.co/oxgPqDCrQQ
[VIEWER QUESTION] President Cyril Ramaphosa is signing the NHI Bill into law today. What are your thoughts? Are you for or against it, and why? Send us your comments on @TheSAMorning on X and The South African Morning on Facebook. https://t.co/0Hbz8tbQdb
President Ramaphosa to sign NHI Bill into law https://t.co/8MjTFFSN7D
[COMING UP] President Cyril Ramaphosa will sign the National Health Insurance Bill today. We get reaction from Chairperson of the SA Medical Association, Mvuyisi Mzukwa. #DStv403 https://t.co/QiI5nk7Lpp
News24 | Ramaphosa hits back at 'well-to-do, rich people' for criticising decision to sign NHI Bill https://t.co/Ltu5slklGO
β οΈ SOUTH AFRICA'S HEALTH INSURANCE LAW SET TO FACE LEGAL CHALLENGES Full Story β https://t.co/fpn4s403I2
Momentum Metropolitan has become the first major insurance group to issue a public response to news that President Cyril Ramaphosa intends signing the National Health Insurance Bill into law, saying on Tuesday that it's "unsustainable". https://t.co/k082ayO6I5
South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Wednesday sign into law a national health bill that aims to provide universal coverage to South Africans, the country's presidency said in a statement. https://t.co/RS5zx3TGzS
Shares in Discovery and other South African medical insurers slumped after President Cyril Ramaphosa said heβll sign into law a new health bill thatβs opposed by business https://t.co/LGUsysK6Zz
Doctors and medical professionals have taken aim at President Ramaphosa as he is expected to sign the controversial NHI Bill into law this week, saying the legislation in its current form will limit instead of improve healthcare for South Africans. https://t.co/C2IWMcSnRW
Business Unity SA (BUSA) has confirmed that it will consider legal action after President Cyril Ramaphosa signs the controversial National Health Insurance Bill into law this week. | @News24_Business https://t.co/OWuzhC0M3e
News24 | NHI: Business gears up for possible legal battle as Ramaphosa set to make 'damaging' bill law https://t.co/iZ5CpNB5qU
South Africa's Ramaphosa to sign health insurance bill into law just before election https://t.co/6q1gj0GALJ https://t.co/pkztYbNIla
South Africaβs Cyril Ramaphosa will sign-off on a controversial health insurance bill Wednesday, two weeks before national elections. https://t.co/67O5fnC0s8
News24 | Ramaphosa to sign National Health Insurance Bill into law https://t.co/qy9RJgxcRe
[BREAKING NEWS] President Cyril Ramaphosa will sign the National Health Insurance Bill into law on Wednesday. #DStv403 https://t.co/CvhA1ueqMo