The Egyptian government is still considering factors that could affect a proposed health insurance scheme for low-income households, and has yet to finalise a bill for the scheme.
“This is not the final draft and nothing will be sent to the Cabinet until we have considered all suggestions,” said Mr Mohamed Maait, a Ministry of Finance representative on the National Council for Human Rights (NCHR) which met recently to discuss the proposed health insurance bill.
“We are still studying more solid criteria to ensure social equity among all beneficiaries,” the Daily News Egypt reported, citing Mr Maait.
The proposed scheme has attracted criticism from doctors, local rights groups and Cabinet members over its sources of funding, the capacity of public hospitals, and definition of beneficiaries.
Dr Mona Mina, Secretary General of the Egyptian Medical Syndicate, said that the draft law’s definition of beneficiaries as “those who cannot afford” medical treatment was too loose and the government would have the final say on who belongs to that classification.
In response to the criticism, the Ministry of Health issued a modified version of the draft bill in January, which amended the category of beneficiaries to include all citizens earning less than the minimum wage.
The Health Ministry’s representative on the NCHR, Dr Wagida Anwar, said: “We are currently seeking to develop not just a basic health insurance system but rather, a comprehensive network to cover medical expenses for all citizens.”
Currently, at least 60% of health expenditures are paid for out of pocket. The proposed health insurance scheme aims to ease the financial burden on families.
The draft bill was written by a 22-member committee of health insurance officials, finance leaders and academics. It was referred to the Cabinet in December and is now being given a review by a ministerial committee. If approved, the law will then be sent to Parliament for the go-ahead. A pilot programme will be carried out first before the health insurance scheme is implemented.