24/06/2026
Boakai Endorses Historic Health Insurance Plan to Deliver Affordable Healthcare for All
By Sam Middlevic Karto
Monrovia, Liberia, June 24, 2026, Liberia has moved closer to establishing a national health insurance system after the Ministry of Health submitted a landmark health financing bill to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr., proposing the creation of the Liberia Health Equity Fund (LHEF) to reduce healthcare costs and expand access to medical services nationwide.
The proposed legislation, which also seeks to establish the Health Equity Authority of Liberia (HEAL), aims to create a sustainable financing mechanism for the country's healthcare sector while protecting vulnerable families from catastrophic medical expenses.
Health authorities describe the initiative as one of the most ambitious healthcare financing reforms in Liberia’s recent history and a key component of the Health and Sanitation Pillar of the government's ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development.
The proposal was formally presented on Tuesday at the Executive Mansion, where health officials outlined plans for a dedicated funding pool designed to strengthen healthcare delivery, improve access to quality medical services, and build a more resilient national health system.
Receiving the proposal, President Boakai praised the initiative, describing it as a major step toward ensuring affordable and quality healthcare for all Liberians regardless of income level.
“The health of the people is the responsibility of the government,” President Boakai said.
The President emphasized that healthcare and education remain essential pillars of national development and stressed that investing in people is critical to Liberia’s long-term growth.
“If we give the people quality education and full access to healthcare, that country will be great,” he stated.
Boakai also highlighted the importance of public awareness and participation in ensuring the success of the proposed health insurance scheme. He called for nationwide education campaigns to help citizens understand how health insurance works and the benefits it can provide.
According to the President, health insurance functions by pooling contributions from participants, creating a financial safety net that reduces the burden of medical emergencies and healthcare expenses on individuals and families.
Drawing lessons from countries that have successfully implemented similar systems, Boakai urged policymakers to adopt proven models while adapting them to Liberia’s specific needs and realities.
“We do not need to reinvent the wheel,” he said. “Liberia can learn from successful international experiences while building a healthcare financing system that reflects the country’s specific needs.”
The President assured health authorities and development partners of his administration’s full support and encouraged continued engagement with stakeholders to build public trust in the proposed program.
Under the bill, the Liberia Health Equity Fund would be financed through several revenue streams aimed at ensuring long-term sustainability.
Health officials said funding would include contributions ranging from 0.5 percent to 1 percent of salaries from employees and employers in the formal sector through the National Social Security and Welfare Corporation (NASSCORP), subject to regulations established by the proposed Health Equity Authority of Liberia.
The proposal also recommends allocating between 1 percent and 3 percent of Value Added Tax (VAT) revenues to the fund, with the final percentage to be determined through future regulations.
Additional sources of funding would include a one-cent surcharge on mobile money transactions, mandatory contributions from Class A and Class B mining concession companies, and periodic contributions from members of the informal sector through associations, unions, and organized groups.
The financing framework further proposes allocating 10 percent of excise tax revenues, 5 percent of income generated from environmental pollution-related taxes and activities, and levies on companies providing health and health-related insurance services.
If enacted, the Liberia Health Equity Fund is expected to significantly transform the country's healthcare financing system by reducing out-of-pocket medical expenses, expanding access to essential health services, strengthening healthcare infrastructure, and accelerating Liberia’s progress toward universal health coverage.
The proposal will now undergo further consultations and legislative review as government officials, lawmakers, healthcare professionals, and development partners work toward establishing what could become Liberia’s first comprehensive and sustainable national health insurance program.
