Gov’t to subsidise health programme forever – Roy Barry
“Government will have to forever subsidise the public facility because of the lack of the ability by the users to contribute when they are [receiving] care,” Barry stated on the Umoja radio show aired on September 13, 2013.
Barry noted that government is required to cover the bulk of health insurance costs for employees going forward as they are the major employer in the Territory.
He also conceded many persons working within the private sector would not be able to afford healthcare.
According to Norma Benjamin, Manager of Referrals and Health Benefits with the NHI, the cost of healthcare often exceeds what is budgeted by government as they are often required to go back for a supplementary.
Host of the programme, Cromwell Smith aka Edju En Ka noted that residents were not paying the true cost of healthcare as beds at Peebles Hospital could cost as little as $25 which amount to 600-700 percent less than the current rate in the region or the rate required to operate a hospital bed.
Speaking on the importance of the pending programme, Barry said the NHI will create access to healthcare for all the residents of the Virgin Islands therefore it is expected that a much more relaxed workforce will be in place.
“Persons will be more eager to work because they have access to that care, they won’t have to neglect work per se because they have a pain and they can’t afford to go to the doctor or they go to work and they can’t perform,” he said.
According to Barry, knowledge of a healthy lifestyle being related to residents will ultimately reduce the cost spent on healthcare in the Territory.
He stated that a huge part of the NHI budget is dedicated to health promotion wherein the aspects of a healthy lifestyle will be promoted on a monthly basis through radio, television and fliers.
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10 Responses to “Gov’t to subsidise health programme forever – Roy Barry”
All NHI will do, is make us pay for it in a more planned and systematic way. If you make $3000 per month, then your NHI is 112.50 and your local health care coverage is covered. Don't be a moron, if you want additional coverage, pay for it. Instead of you guys look at the way insurance companies rip us off, you belly-aching about something that will benefit the masses. Govt employees are now paying $110 flat per month and still have a $250 deductible. Something has to give and its NHI. Don't bother get vex....get with the programme.