The Free Democrats (FREE DEMS) is a South African political party founded by neurologist Dr. Johan Reid to lobby for private health care, and is opposed to the government's proposed National Health Insurance. It is furthermore in favour of free enterprise, privatisation, private education and lower taxes.[1]
Proposal for Medical Aid
The Free Democrats propose to establish a medical aid for every citizen, one comprehensive medical aid plan from birth to death, funded by a Health Insurance Fund (HIF) which will be, for its part funded by existing sin taxes (tobacco, alcohol, gambling and sugar taxes), carbon taxes and a portion of all VAT collected. Everybody should pay for healthcare, but the "big spenders, boozers, smokers, gamblers, binge eaters and polluters" should pay more. They do not propose any new taxes. Under their proposal healthcare facilities will be managed and operated by private healthcare companies.[2]
Election results
The party contested the 2019 general election at national level and in the Western Cape, failing to win a seat. They contested again in 2024 at the national level only, again failing to win a seat.
^From 2024, seats in the National Assembly are determined by a combination of the national ballot, and the nine regional ballots. Only the national ballot figures are shown here.
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