Insurance Companies see NHI as threat to survival – Health Minister
![Businessman Elton Callwood said whenever governments step in a capitalist society, and take over competition and make it a government run [operation], they are treading on the borderline of socialism. Photo:VINO](https://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/cache/images/800x_e_Elton_Callwood.jpg)
The statement came as the National Democratic Party (NDP) government took its message to the people of the Virgin Islands with their ‘On the Road’ campaign at the Abraham Leonard Community Centre in Carrot Bay last evening, February 25, 2013. The theme for the scheduled series of the interactive meetings is “On The Road – Building a ‘People Government’ through Listening, Collaborating, Consulting and Communicating”.
The Hon. Minister was at the time responding to a question from Mr Elton Callwood regarding whether he was aware of any opposition for the NHI Programme scheduled to be implemented in August 2013. “I don’t see it that way,” said Hon. Skelton, “I see where there will always be a higher level of re-insurance that is required, that they will play a part in…”
“We cannot continue to leave the health of the very people, the unfortunate ones in our society, to the mercies of the health insurance, as a people and a government, we have to do something, and we feel this is for the greater good so that’s why we’re making this decision and travelling this road,” Hon. Skelton added.
Skelton assured that it took approximately five years for a comprehensive study to be completed through the University of the West Indies’ Economic Unit. He made the disclosure after Callwood had asked whether Government had taken into account “the expense that we’re going to incur” and asked about whether the magnitude of claims had been assessed before the implementation of the programme, even after Government had stated that they did not have all the financial resources to solve the Territory’s problems.
“It’s not something that government [is] just jumping up and doing,” Hon. Skelton assured, “…it’s not something as simple as you are explaining, there are economic models, there are statistical models, telling us which direction that we need to go.”
Callwood also stated, “whenever governments step in a capitalist society, and take over competition and make it a government run [operation], they are treading on the borderline of socialism…”
After noting Callwood’s claim about the programme being of socialist nature, Hon. Skelton advised that there was no pure socialist country and also no pure capitalist country, “there is a level of socialism in every capitalist country and one of the things a government or people must decide… there [comes] a point where the greater good of all the people need to be considered, not just the capitalists…”
The Health Minister further stated that all those who cannot afford to pay for health insurance should be given the opportunity to access health care while adding that the ‘strain’ on small businesses was also taken into consideration in the model for the NHI Programme.
According to the Hon. Minister, people are even being taken to court for not paying contributions that employees ask them to hand over to social security.
Commentator Edmund Maduro added his concerns to the voices raised at the meeting in saying, “When it comes to the National Health Insurance, small businesses will not be able to afford it…” As a matter of fact, he offered, it can send a lot of us bankrupt. Stating that he is also a small business man himself, he asked, “When you put more on us, what are we going to do?”
A crowd of approximately 40 persons were in attedance at the community meeting.
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30 Responses to “Insurance Companies see NHI as threat to survival – Health Minister”
The studies were done over the last 5yrs. Do the math and stop being an @$$. All the projects being done by NDP now have been brought to where they are currently by the VIP. Airport, Cruise Pier, National Health Insurance, Hospital, Water (biwater) and Sewage projects. You are not fooling anyone.
The only thing missing now is the state of the Territory address…watch out people here they come!
people why do you'll even listen to Ronnie ??? he is clearly a f**l that thinks he is smarter than everybody
We should have the opportunity to keep the insurance we already have that affords us excellent insurance overseas not force us into a scheme to try to kill us off with less than substandard healthcare in our territory.
I guarantee you I will not be voting again until our political system get their act together and see what time it is.
This is not an NDP plan. This has been in progress since 2008. Pull the file. You will still be able to keep your private insurance so stop with the fear tactics. Universal Healthcare is all over the world and private insurers are doing business there still so you all need to stop talking what you don't know. Many of us pay Social Security monthly but never had to use it. Whereas there are people that haven't paid as much as us but have to use it in pregnancy, injury at work, extended sick leave etc. So what's your point, you shouldn't pay Social Security either? The money you pay to insurance companies each year without getting in an accident, it's paid to those who get into accidents and claim. That's how the s ystem works.
Therefore, I will now have to pay for my private insurance to ensure that I can still have coverage for medical visits off-island and also for this foolish government insurance! DOUBLE PAYING FOR INSURANCE THAT I ONCE RECEIVED FOR FREE!!!!!!!
You must be floating in money you fool. The point is we cannot afford to be paying for TWO INSURANCE POLICIES!!
Ronnie do you know that just to build a new runway at Heathrow airport, consultations and STUDIES take an average of 10 - 20 years!! And that is just a freaking airport! Now you and your guys want to mandate National INsurance (just like the good ole US of A [sic]) to us!?!?! Are you freaking good in your head dread? Well lets see what the projected GOV. costs are to implement and maintain this pie in the sky and ALLOW is freedom of choice! I feel that everyday here in this place mine and others Human Rights are being trampled on by some big headed egotisitical power-hungy maniacs. All this to fund their PORK PROJECTS and prop up their little empires each one of them (politicians) are building to secure THEIR future financial stability. No more jack! I will be talking to a lawyer about the legality of this and will be sending around a petition to have individuals sign on to send to the FCO that we as a ppl shall not be forced to accept something that in reality will be a step backwards.
School Children say they renting the whole top floor of the Hospital to the purple palace, no tender, no add, no nothing! Done deal!