Preparations Underway to Amend the Health Insurance Act

Kathmandu — Minister for Health and Food Hygiene Nisha Mehta has said that the government is preparing to amend the Health Insurance Act to make the national health insurance program more effective and sustainable.

Responding to lawmakers’ questions during Wednesday’s meeting of the House of Representatives on budget appropriations related to her ministry, Minister Mehta stated that reforms to the current health insurance system are necessary and that the process of amending the law has already been initiated.

According to the minister, the government has also proposed separating basic healthcare services from the health insurance scheme. In addition, discussions and advocacy efforts are underway to make health insurance mandatory for all workers in the organized sector and to integrate the health insurance program currently operating under the Social Health Security Fund into the existing national health insurance system.

She said the government expects constructive suggestions and support from lawmakers and other stakeholders on these issues.

Minister Mehta noted that the ministry’s annual programs have been formulated in line with the government’s policy priorities and the budget for the upcoming fiscal year, with greater emphasis being placed on the health sector.

According to her, the budget for the next fiscal year is growth-oriented and results-driven from a healthcare perspective. She emphasized that a larger allocation has been made to the health sector compared with previous years and stated that the government has introduced a range of reform initiatives aimed at ensuring citizens receive quality healthcare services.