Medical aid schemes still favour the wealthy: Health Minister
Health Minister, Aaron Motsoaledi, says there needs to be an amendment to the imbalance that exists in medical insurance where the wealthiest professionals are given the biggest subsidies.
Motsoaledi made the comment yesterday while addressing delegates at the 2nd National Pharmacy Conference at the Durban ICC. He questioned how those who can afford medical aids are the ones who receive the most benefits while the poor receive none.
"When you combine the medical aid schemes that service state-owned enterprises you get a total subsidised amount of R20 billion and R16 billion in tax rebates," he said.
"That is a combined figure of R36 billion that goes towards 16% of the cream of the nation and leaving 84% of the population outside," Motsoaledi said.
(Photo: Steve Bhengu)