South Africa's Health Minister, Aaron Motsoaledi, responding to parliamentary questions, says the removal of medical-aid tax credits is provided for in the National Health Insurance Act (NHI Act). Motsoaledi emphasised that the Act does not compel medical-aid members to abandon their schemes, and individuals can legally remain on private medical aid even if the tax credits are withdrawn. This follows the health department’s revelation that it is in talks with National Treasury to phase out the medical-aid rebate and redirect the ‘savings’ towards the NHI. Thami Ngubeni spoke to Thoneshan Naidoo, CEO of the Health Funders Association (HFA).