New amendments tabled to NHI Bill

Accra, Aug. 25, GNA - Members of Parliament on Monday tabled 16 fresh amendments to the National Health Insurance Bill on Monday as time ticked away for its passage on Tuesday.
The fresh roll of amendments came to the House via an "addendum" adding up to the unattended business of 15 others.
Mr Peter Ala Adjetey, Speaker, had cautioned members to desist from over-flogging issues during debate so that they could save time for the rest of the House's business.
He said he would not be persuaded to extend the emergency sitting. During the scrutiny of the draft language of the Bill, known as the consideration stage, Mr Abraham Ossei Aidoo, the Deputy Majority Leader, managed to push through a pro-pensioner amendment. The amendment sought to give pensioners on the payroll of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) Fund the right to access minimum healthcare benefits without payment of further contributions. The member, whose amendment swept an overwhelming support, said pensioners deserved a better standard of living after working hard for the country.
Mr Stephen Kwaku Balado Manu, NPP-Ahafo Ano South, fought in vain to amend a proposed amendment that excluded the Ghana Armed Forces and the Ghana Police Service from the Scheme.
The member called for the inclusion of the Ghana Prison Service and Ghana Fire Service in the category.
Members voted to defeat his amendment on the grounds that the Ghana Armed Forces and Ghana Police Service had a timed tested arrangement that did not need alteration.

Accra, Aug. 25, GNA - Members of Parliament on Monday tabled 16 fresh amendments to the National Health Insurance Bill on Monday as time ticked away for its passage on Tuesday.
The fresh roll of amendments came to the House via an "addendum" adding up to the unattended business of 15 others.
Mr Peter Ala Adjetey, Speaker, had cautioned members to desist from over-flogging issues during debate so that they could save time for the rest of the House's business.
He said he would not be persuaded to extend the emergency sitting. During the scrutiny of the draft language of the Bill, known as the consideration stage, Mr Abraham Ossei Aidoo, the Deputy Majority Leader, managed to push through a pro-pensioner amendment. The amendment sought to give pensioners on the payroll of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) Fund the right to access minimum healthcare benefits without payment of further contributions. The member, whose amendment swept an overwhelming support, said pensioners deserved a better standard of living after working hard for the country.
Mr Stephen Kwaku Balado Manu, NPP-Ahafo Ano South, fought in vain to amend a proposed amendment that excluded the Ghana Armed Forces and the Ghana Police Service from the Scheme.
The member called for the inclusion of the Ghana Prison Service and Ghana Fire Service in the category.
Members voted to defeat his amendment on the grounds that the Ghana Armed Forces and Ghana Police Service had a timed tested arrangement that did not need alteration.