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Hon Turnbull should be blasting his own colleagues about NHI- Natalio D. Wheatley

- criticises seasoned legislators for not taking the rookie legislator under their wings
Second District Representative Hon Melvin 'Mitch' Turnbull (left) has been criticised by talk show host Natalio D. Wheatley for aiming his criticims regarding NHI at the wrong set of people. Photo: VINO/File
According to Mr Natalio D. Wheatley, the mandatory National Health Insurance is the one hurting private insurances. Photo: VINO/File
According to Mr Natalio D. Wheatley, the mandatory National Health Insurance is the one hurting private insurances. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The older and more experienced legislators in the House of Assembly have come under fire for not taking the time out to groom one of the youngest legislators in their midst- Hon Melvin “Mitch” Turnbull (R2).

Host of the “Things to Talk” radio programme on ZBVI 780 AM, Mr Natalio D. “Sowande Uhuru” Wheatley used his weekly programme to put legislators' feet to the fire, lamenting that regardless of the differences that he and Hon Turnbull might have they are still good friends and he would like to see him succeed.

His remarks were based on Hon Turnbull’s recent chastisement of the medical providers and the insurance companies, claiming that they were exploiting the controversial National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme in the House of Assembly on September 23, 2016. Hon Turnbull was at the time making his contribution under Any Other Business at the First Sitting of the Second Session of the Third House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands.

Mr Wheatley noted too that he agrees with Hon Turnbull that some healthcare providers and insurance companies may be taking advantage of NHI but said it is the legislators who should take the blame for not putting proper policies in place.

“We have some persons, insurance providers and healthcare providers, Madam Speaker, blatantly abusing the system,” It is absolutely ridiculous that we have some of the same persons that would say and have said NHI would bankrupt this territory, NHI will fail and NHI would do this and that and they would cost the people this and that these same companies, Madam Speaker, both insurance and healthcare providers, are the ones increasing their rates,” Hon Turnbull had said.

He further said it the same set of persons are also writing to customers saying, “That they will not pay because NHI is the preferred or premier provider.” Additionally, he continued, he has a background in insurance and were it anywhere else in the Caribbean or the world, “This would be considered criminal and charges would be brought against the proprietors of these companies and fines would be executed, Madam Speaker.”

Hon Turnbull noted that at the end of the day the persons that are being hurt are the people and, since its implementation, NHI has been beneficial to them.

Hon Turnbull shot himself in the foot

Wheatley stated that the young legislator was actually speaking about several of his political colleagues who are practicing doctors and owns private medical establishments, such as Premier Dr The Hon D Orlando Smith, Deputy Premier Dr The Hon Kedrick D. Pickering and even Turnbull’s own brother Dr Michael A. Turnbull.

“So what are you saying about your colleagues? Are you saying that your colleagues are dishonest? Are they exploiting people? Hon Turnbull, you have that wrong and it is okay to make mistakes as well,” Wheatley said.

A reflection of Hon Turnbull’s colleagues in the house?

Mr Wheatley continued, “I would like to send a message to Hon Turnbull’s colleagues, when you have new people in the house of Assembly you have to do a much better job of taking them under your wings and showing them the ropes so they don’t make those types of mistakes. It is more of a reflection of his colleagues rather than him because he is a new legislator and he is still getting a hang of the job.”

According to Wheatley, one of the points that Hon Turnbull said he had a problem with was that the NHI being the primary insurer for people who are insured with the NHI and any other insurers will be secondary.

 “…And if his colleagues had taken him under their wings and explain to him that it was actually the regulations created by the same legislators that they would have voted on already, that the regulations that they came up with are the ones that made NHI the primary insurer. So actually if he wants to criticise somebody for that, he would have to criticise himself and his colleagues.”

NHI hurting insurance companies

Mr Wheatley stated that he does not believe that the insurance companies would even want it like that so it makes no sense to criticise them for that. 

“The insurance companies would have liked to be the primary provider because that would make their insurance more attractive to the people of the territory,” he pointed out, saying that right now the insurance companies are the ones struggling since they are now getting supplementary packages that the NHI does not provide for and the general public would have to consider if it is worth getting a supplementary package and paying for NHI as well.

“In fact, it hurts the private insurance companies for it to be that way,” Mr Wheatley said.

20 Responses to “Hon Turnbull should be blasting his own colleagues about NHI- Natalio D. Wheatley”

  • . (29/09/2016, 08:05) Like (10) Dislike (11) Reply
    what would mitch know when hes still popping pimples.
  • Really? (29/09/2016, 08:16) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wheatley, I think he knows this already, however, just because his colleagues are lobbying for it, means that he is in agreeance.
  • pat (29/09/2016, 08:28) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    things that make you go oooooooohhhhhh
  • Boo (29/09/2016, 09:25) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    Good one Sowonde, catch them in their own web!
  • bunch ah green horns (29/09/2016, 09:26) Like (11) Dislike (4) Reply
    mitch and alvera them so ain't bring ah thing to the table, he is overated if yo ask me.
  • poor Mitch (29/09/2016, 09:33) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    Sowede show him up on this one. I hope he don't start bawling say them picking on him too like myrun
  • smart (29/09/2016, 09:37) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Mr. Wheatley, thank you for your comments. I hope Mr. Turnbull read and understand because he sounded uneducated with his recent comments. NHI is the primary insurance which means that is the first card that must be presented. Should someone has supplemental medical insurance, they will claim over and above what NHI does not cover.
  • Issues (29/09/2016, 10:52) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    There is also another issue, a core is that is being overlooked, that the representative raised. The issues of the inflated fees that are hurting the people. prior to NHI, a visit would be 150.00, and your copay, 30. Now the same Visit is 500.00. NHI will stated we a lot 200 for that service, and pay 90% of that 200, resulting in $180.00 charged to NHI, and $20.00 Co-Pay charged to the patient, the 300 dollar balance will be disallowed. However, Because of the faulty legislation which the minister in defense of his people says needs to be changed, the person is responsible for that balance of $300.00, which is greed on the part of the providers. In addition, even with supplemental plans, some insurers are refusing to help patients pay that $300.00 dollars. With the smoke and mirrors that trust still lies and at the end of the day people are suffering and I support him in a call for the law to be change. Speak up for the people regardless of what side of the fence you are on.
  • 2 grand (29/09/2016, 11:00) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    there is a difference between sitting and eating at the table or under the table waiting for crumbs to fall. take note things never appear to be what they are. MASKS AND COSTUMES ARE WHAT WE SEE.
  • Voter Say So (29/09/2016, 11:27) Like (25) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hon. Mitch was elected by his people to represent even if it means speaking on issues popular or unpopular involving the Government he is a part of. He was not elected by Govt to be their yes man. Nuff said!!
  • Eagle Eye (29/09/2016, 12:56) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    this was set u to help the NDPs in the medical field bottom line
  • Me (29/09/2016, 13:37) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    That is why you must vote your conscience and not to give party numbers..You preach from the Bible follow its teachings.
  • D2man (29/09/2016, 13:38) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
    Mitch ain't ready. Just a puppet for the NDP. Don't let them man have you like Sk*nt boy stand up for what's proper don't have them using us like they using u my boi
  • weed (29/09/2016, 14:47) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    Mitch needs to leave the NDP
  • next time (29/09/2016, 19:54) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Sowande sorry I didn't vote for you last time but trust next time around I will be voting for you. NDP has lost there way I don't plan to ever vote party again makes no sense.from now on, I voting for person who I think could do the job. They would have to learn to work together for the betterment of the country. We need to stop these landslide victory and even things so the government would be more effective when there is a balance
  • Newstyle (30/09/2016, 09:56) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Then the people should vote in a referendum to elect all members of the House of Assembly at-large like they do in St. Thomas and other places. That is when you can effectively vote for individuals over party. Mitch did no wrong. He saw an evil and he called it out. That is exactly what he should have done and he has done it. Bright shining halos to you, Mitch. Wheatley, I find no fault in what the man did, man. He is speaking the TROOTH.
  • wize up (01/10/2016, 22:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Nothing against the radio host but with all his knowledge on every possible subject the young man will never become an elected political leader in this territory.


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