Morocco Considers Unified Health Coverage Amid Calls for Post-Crisis Reforms

During this conference, the elected official explained that "the different systems currently in force only include a few categories of employees and professionals, while an even larger part is covered by the Medical Assistance Scheme". For him, the entry into force of any new social contract after the coronavirus crisis will be conditional on the rehabilitation of health, public education, and scientific research. "This coronavirus crisis has allowed many people to understand that the place of health is essential in Morocco," he declared, stressing that "health and education must be at the center of concerns, followed by the fight against all forms of rent, and everything else," reports Hespress.

Such priorities require resources and to achieve this, Omar Balafrej called for a "revision of the country’s tax system" and the introduction of a new tax on wealth and inheritance. "Income tax is unfair and is only paid by employees," he declares before proposing that the wealth tax "be progressive, like that on inheritance rights". In his proposal, he suggests allocating the resources generated by these two taxes "to the reform of education".

The deputy also defended the idea of a "social state" during his conference. He considers that the coronavirus crisis "is an opportunity to address people who hold this kind of moderate discourse".