New Deduction For Teachers and Other Civil Servants
New Deduction For Teachers. Teachers and other civil servants are set to suffer another deduction in their payslips once the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) bill becomes a law.
The social health insurance fund bill has sailed through the second reading despite uproar from the public.
Members of Parliament from across political divides supported the ammendments of the national health insurance fund (NHIF) to SHIF with revised rates.
The Bill seeking to establish a Social Security Insurance Authority to replace the current National Insurance Fund (NHIF) went through the second reading and is set to be tabled before the committee of the whole House on Wednesday.
Once the Bill enacted, teachers, civil servants and all other taxpayers will be deducted a mandatory fee of 2.75% of their salaries to SHIF.
The new development has elicited uproar from civil society organisations who have cautioned the government against overburdening Kenyans.
National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah supported the saying the move is good because it will revolutionise the delivery of healthcare in the country and root out cartels that have looted funds meant for ailing Kenyans.
According to Ichung’wah, SHIF seeks to accelerate the progress the country has made and fast track the achievement of UHC. NHIF was plagued by inefficiencies and governance challenges and it has also turned to be financially unsustainable.
Minority Whip Junet Mohamed chimed added that the elephant in the room is corruption and once sorted out every Kenyan will receive quality healthcare.
“If the country will not deal with corruption, then even if the ammendments are made, we will experience the same problem”, Junet added.
The proposed monthly deduction of 2.75% on taxpayers payslips has elicited sharp criticism from civil society organisations. They have faulted the government of being blind to the plight of Kenyans by continuing to levy more taxes.
The Okoa Uchumi group has also accused the government of turning public participation forums into a mere charade and disregarding Kenyans’ input in those forums.
The Social Health Insurance Bill is among four Bills proposed by the Executive for fast tracking by Parliament to operationalise the health plan.
The other Bills are the Digital Health Bill, the Primary Healthcare Bill, and the Facility Improvement Bill.
New Deduction For Teachers
