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There is an international call for countries to ensure universal health coverage. This call has been embraced in South Africa  in the form of a National Health Insurance (NHI). Other forms of health financing in South Africa include general tax revenue, direct out-of-pocket payments, and contributions to medical scheme.  In this paper, the authors assess the progressivity of each health financing mechanism and overall financing system in South Africa. Applying standard and innovative methodologies for assessing progressivity, the study finds that general taxes and medical scheme contributions remain progressive, and direct out-of-pocket payments and indirect taxes are regressive.