MPs insurance: Study to explore sustainable alternatives to abolition

The Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee has decided to study sustainable ways of providing health insurance without placing the public at a disadvantage in light of a petition calling for the removal of special health insurance benefits granted to lawmakers but not available to the general public.

The petition, submitted by social media activist Midhuam Saud on August 12, was accepted with 7,225 signatures. Following a debate in Parliament, it was referred to the Public Accounts Committee for further consideration.

At Monday’s committee meeting, ruling PNC’s Central Hithadhoo MP Ahmed Azaan Marzooq noted that while the general public relies on the 'Aasandha' scheme, parliament members, cabinet ministers, judges and members of independent institutions receive specialized insurance coverage under separate laws.

"Insurance is being provided [to heads of state] through state funding outside of Aasandha, administered within a defined system and framework. Therefore, rather than simply abolishing the insurance for Parliament members, we must address this in a more sustainable manner," Azaan stated.

He added that any changes to the insurance system should cover all relevant groups. Azaan suggested that if the insurance benefits provided to lawmakers, independent institutions and senior state officials were to be revoked or revised, the changes should be implemented collectively.

However, Azaan stressed that such measures should only be taken after consulting relevant stakeholders and identifying the most cost-effective option. He therefore proposed that the Public Accounts Committee conduct a study to explore sustainable insurance models.

"For instance, we observe that in certain institutions, officials continue to receive insurance benefits even after retirement, extending to their parents until their passing. Such practices in some institutions lack a sound rationale," Azaan added.

Azaan also argued that reforming the Aasandha scheme is the ultimate solution. He emphasized the need for an equitable system that ensures no citizen has to seek financial assistance to cover medical treatment.

Supporting the proposal, MDP’s South Hulhumale’ MP Dr. Ahmed Shamheed agreed that the Public Accounts Committee should take the lead in researching a better health insurance model.

The proposal was unanimously approved by the committee members present at the meeting.

Following the initial petition seeking to abolish exclusive health insurance benefits for MPs, a second petition was submitted calling for the same coverage to be extended to the general public.

Both petitions were submitted by Midhuam. The second petition argues that it is unreasonable for the public to be limited to the "disadvantageous Aasandha" scheme when a more beneficial alternative is available. It further maintains that the government has a legal obligation to provide a health insurance scheme that is cost-effective and offers substantial benefits to both the state and the public.

The petition calls for the "beneficial insurance package" currently available to parliament members to be extended to all Maldivians.