The National Assembly has passed the Short-Term and Long-Term Insurance Amendment bills. The amendments to both laws are meant to direct all complaints to an appeal board, instead of the Finance Minister. The Namibia Financial Institutions Regulator Authority Act makes provision for an Appeal Board. The intention of the amendments is to streamline these laws so that all complaints are referred to the board. In terms of the current laws, appeals are to be directed to the Finance Minister. The amendments are part of the implementation process of the provisions of the Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority Act. The amendments also remove the requirement of a bank guarantee that is deposited by insurance and reinsurance brokers. Another requirement that is being done away with is for every insurance entity to maintain a professional indemnity insurance policy of one million dollars. The National Assembly also considered the Medical Aid Amendment Bill. Contributing to the debate, DTA MP Elma Dienda raised concern about the slow pace at which medical aid companies pay service providers, which results in the imposition of penalties on the members. Finance Minister Calle Schlettwein said any member of a medical aid who feels ill-treated, can forward such complaints to the Appeal Board of Namfisa in line with the amendment of the acts.