Thesis (MTech (Public Management)--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2011 / In South Africa’s two-tiered health system, some enjoy health care based on ability to pay and others utilize services in an under-funded sector. The rift in the two, public and private sectors, primarily exists because income categories either curb or allow the necessary contributions. This thesis reports on the various contributing mechanisms, through which health care can be ensured universally, without causing impoverishment. The framework or criteria selected for this study includes feasibility, equity, efficiency and sustainability of a contributing mechanism. Furthermore, the contributing mechanisms – tax-funded, NHI, voluntary health insurance and out-ofpocket – are resident within four health care models namely, Beveridge, Bismarck, NHI and Out-of-pocket. These models are discussed as well as relevant country examples are provided. In the pursuit of answering whether the NHI scheme is suitable for South Africa, the study shows that government or tax-funding and NHI provides the contributing mechanisms that are applicable to the South African situation within the context of different challenges. It is recommended that, in the government’s discussions about health care reform, prepayment, universalism and health care expenditure, amongst others, be considered.

Human beings have two apparently conflicting fundamental rights. On the one hand, individuals have a right to health care as the United Nations declared in 1948. On the other hand, individuals have a right to liberty; that is, the freedom to make one's own health related choices, even poor ones. One goal of this essay is to show how to reconcile these two apparently conflicting core American values. This reconciliation is important, because a universal health care system that is fair and just must account for individual rights in tandem with attempts to address matters of social justice. In order for this reconciliation to occur, matters of individual responsibility, social responsibility, and social justice must be central to health care reform. / by Jennifer Lynn Mantoni. / Vita. / Thesis (M.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2011. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2011. Mode of access: World Wide Web.