On November 1, 2023, the Parliament of the United Republic of Tanzania enacted the Universal Health Insurance Bill, a pivotal piece of legislation aimed at ensuring widespread access to healthcare services for citizens through a comprehensive health insurance system.
Key features of the bill include:
- Mandatory Coverage for All Citizens: Health insurance becomes mandatory for every citizen of the United Republic of Tanzania – Mainland.
- Regulatory Authority: The Tanzania Insurance Regulatory Authority (TIRA) oversees and manages the health insurance system. TIRA’s responsibilities include registering and regulating health insurance schemes, ensuring compliance with a standardised benefit package, and providing guidelines to optimise the efficiency of health insurance schemes nationwide.
- Public Health Insurance Scheme: The National Health Insurance Fund serves as the public health insurance scheme. The legislation empowers the Minister to enhance the public health insurance scheme based on findings from studies and evaluations.
- Private Health Insurance Provision: Private companies are permitted to register as private health insurance schemes, affording citizens the flexibility to choose the scheme that best suits their needs, particularly in both formal private and informal sectors.
- Standard Benefit Package: The law mandates a standardised benefits package. Members also have the option to acquire additional benefits beyond the standard package. The Minister is granted the authority to modify the standard benefits package based on various evaluations and the sustainability of funds.
- Identification and Financing for the Poor: A specific provision caters to financing healthcare for impoverished households, constituting approximately 26.5% of Tanzania’s population. Special funds, sourced from electronic transaction revenues, excise duty on select products, taxes on gaming, motor vehicle insurance, parliamentary allocations, returns from fund investments, and contributions from stakeholders, including development partners, will support health insurance for this demographic.
