Question NW1971 to the Minister of Health
26 September 2016 - NW1971
Carter, Ms D to ask the Minister of Health
With reference to certain media reports concerning Government Employees Medical Schemes (GEMS) (details furnished), what (a) are the root causes of the dire situation that GEMS finds itself in and (b) interventions are being undertaken to remedy the situation?
Reply:
Honourable Member, I answered the earlier question on GEMS (Question 1970) as it relates to the function of the regulator – the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS). CMS is a statutory body that regulates all medical schemes in the country and it reports to the Department of Health. But the Department of Health does not manage any medical schemes including GEMS. GEMS reports to the Department for the Public Service and Administration (DPSA) and all questions regarding its everyday running must be referred to that Department.
END.