Kwara Assembly passes health insurance bill
(This Day) - A bill to give legal backing to the Community Health Insurance Scheme for low income groups in Kwara State has been passed into law by the state House of Assembly.
The bill tagged: "The State Health Insurance Scheme 2012", scaled through the third reading on the floor of the Assembly, following the final consideration of the report of the Assembly's Committee on Health and Environment.
The Speaker of the Assembly Hon. Abdulrazak Atunwa, while directing the Clerk of the Assembly to prepare a clean copy of the bill for governor's accent, said the bill had satisfied the constitutional requirement of 1999 Constitution as amended and the rule of the Assembly.
The bill is aimed at providing affordable quality healthcare service for low income earners in the state.
Also, a bill seeking to establish the state Urban Regional Planning Board and Provision for Urban and Regional Planning passed through second reading on the floor of the chamber.
Moving the debate, the Majority Leader, Hon. AbdulGaniyu Abdul Kareem, enumerated the benefits of the bill when passed into law, pointing out that it will pave the way for proper planning of every part of the state.
Hon. Hassan Oyeleke, Ebun Owolabi, Audu Liman Seidu, Kamal Fagbemi, David Bamidele Segilola Jimoh, Raliat Aremu Adifa, Suleiman Sunaboro and Layonu Tope all argued that when the bill is passed into law, it would among other things addresses health hazard, fast track mailing, and called for accelerated passage of the bill.
While calling for proper registration and sensitisation of customary land owners, they advocated that the board should be given more powers to enforce the law.
The Speaker, while responding, noted the overwhelming support of members, which according to him, underscores the importance of the bill.
He then committed the bill to the House Committee on Land and Housing, Rules and Business to prepare the bill for the next legislative stage.