A Bill seeking to amend the Benue State Health Management Agency has passed the second reading at the Benue State House of Assembly.
The Bill titled: “H.B.10: A Bill For Law to Amend the Benue State Health Management Agency Law 2018 and For Purposes Connected Therewith” is sponsored by the Majority Leader and member representing Gwer West State Constituency, Damian Cheme.
The bill seeks to cause amendment of vital sections of the Principal Law to enhance its operations.
Leading the debate on the principles and merits of the bill on the floor of the house, on Wednesday, Mr. Cheme recalled that the Principal Law enacted by the 8th Benue Assembly, has a long Title that is somewhat cumbersome, thereby misleading.
Cheme said “One of the objects of the proposed amendment is to streamline the title of the Law in tune with the practical operations of the Benue State Health Insurance Agency which was the main focus of the law.
“Another vital area of the Principal Law that needs our attention in the proposed ammendment is the area of contributions of employers and beneficiaries of health insurance from the “formal sector”.
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“Without risking beniality, let me state that the Principal Law is too loose with regards to specifying the rates of percentage of contributions by employers and employees towards achieving the goal of the health insurance scheme.”
He further argued that the amendment before the house seeks to define the exact financial responsibilities between employers and employees instead of leaving such a sensitive matter to be determined by an “Operational Guideline” as contemplated in Section 25 (2) of the principal Law.
Cheme also stated that the executive arm of government has expressed deep concern about the inclusion of more hands in the governing board of the Benue state Health Insurance Agency to make it more representative and urged the relevant Committee to look into it.
The majority leader therefore moved that the bill be read for the second time and be refered to the committee on Health and Human Services for further legislative scrutiny.
Seconding his motion, the Minority Leader and Member representing Tarka State Constituency, Bem Mngutyo said laws are made to guide men and as lawmakers, it is their responsibility to ensure that the state and its people are properly guided.
When there was no counter motion, the speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Mr. Titus Ubah directed the Clerk, Torese Agena, to read the bill for the second time.
He also committed the Bill to the committee on Health and Human Services for further scrutiny and preparation for third reading.
