The ruling National Democratic Congress has rubbished assertions; it is running down the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) started under the erstwhile John Agyekum Kuffour regime.

The flagbearer of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) Nana Addo Dankwah Akuffo-Addo in his version of the “True State of the Nation” address lamented that the scheme has been run aground despite the president’s claim of increasing coverage.

But responding to this on Ultimate Fm’s political analysis programme, Fact File hosted by Julius-Caesar Anadem, Deputy Communications Director of the NDC, Fred Agbanyo insisted that the perennial problem of claims in arrears is a normal part of the insurance scheme.

He contends the health insurance scheme remains viable in contrast to the criticisms of the opposition.

“No government that will come will be able pay NHIS service providers to date. The condition that sets up the law provides that there should always be arrears. The scheme has expanded so much and the current financial source will not be able to cater for the entire cost. It is not a justification that if you are in arrears it should be up to 8 months or more”, he observed.

According to him, the president in his quest to improve services of the NHIS has set up a committee to review its operations in order for clients and service providers to be properly served to give up their best.