Health Insurance Act Amendment underway: Minister Mehta

KATHMANDU: Health and Food Safety Minister Nishaa Mehta has said that the government is preparing to amend the Health Insurance Act to strengthen and expand the national health insurance programme.

Responding to questions raised by lawmakers during Wednesday’s House of Representatives meeting on budget allocations under her ministry, Minister Mehta said the reform aims to ensure the effective implementation of the health insurance system.

She also urged lawmakers and concerned stakeholders to provide constructive suggestions for the process.

She informed Parliament that the government plans to separate basic healthcare services from the insurance scheme and make health insurance mandatory for all organized sectors.

Similarly, she said efforts are underway to integrate the Social Health Security Fund’s health insurance scheme into the existing national health insurance system.

“The Health Insurance Act will be amended. Basic health services will be separated from insurance. Health insurance will be made mandatory in all organized sectors. We are also advocating for the integration of the Social Health Security Fund’s insurance into the existing system. I seek the attention and support of all honourable members,” she said.

Minister Mehta further stated that the Ministry of Health has finalized its annual programmes in line with the government’s policies and budget, adding that the upcoming fiscal year’s plans are expected to bring significant improvements in the health sector.

She also claimed that the government has allocated a higher budget priority to healthcare compared to previous years.