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NHI should focus on the uninsured & under-insured – Bishop John I. Cline

- but said NHI is a must for improved health care delivery in the VI
Bishop John I. Cline said NHI should focus on the insured and the under-insured as a first measure. Photo: VINO/File
With the full implementation of National Health Insurance (NHI) just a few months away, discussions are continuing in many circles as to the best way Government could have dealt with matters of health coverage for every person residing in the territory. Photo: VINO/File
With the full implementation of National Health Insurance (NHI) just a few months away, discussions are continuing in many circles as to the best way Government could have dealt with matters of health coverage for every person residing in the territory. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – With the full implementation of National Health Insurance (NHI) just a few months away, discussions are continuing in many circles as to the best way Government could have dealt with matters of health coverage for every person residing in the territory.

Just on Thursday August 27, 2015 Bishop John I. Cline had one such discourse on the controversial ‘NHI’ topic when he shared his personal view as to how every person in the territory could be covered without NHI and eliminating a number of likely challenges, including insurance companies cutting staff.

The Insurance Association of the BVI (IABVI) recently reported that a number of insurance agents may have to be laid off due to NHI since there wouldn't be enough persons for the agents to insure to keep them employed.

Bishop Cline recommended that in order to safeguard the existing insurance companies that operate in the territory, the focus on NHI should be on those currently without insurance.

“Why don’t the government focus on insuring the un-insured so in other words they would send out an invitation to everyone who is without insurance , either the un-insured or the under-insured and they would come and sign up for the programme,” he suggested.

“Let’s say there are 3000 of those persons, then the government would take that bunch of people and either under the National Health Insurance or go to the three or four locally owned or local insurance companies that are there and say to them we have 3000 people that are un-insured or under-insured, we want you to insure them for us.”

A win win situation!

With this system, Bishop Cline suggested that the government of the day can then pay the premium for those insurance companies and those who have insurance, whether it’s to their company or individually, will be able to keep their insurance.

“So it’s a win win situation and I believe in that instance again, for everyone in terms of the government would not have to, I don’t think subsidise insurance as heavily as they would have to under the National Health Insurance plan because it would have to be subsidised, and also those persons who have their insurance, are happy with their insurance would not feel that they are being given an additional tax. They can keep their insurance or feel they are being made to give up their plan that they feel is good,” opined Bishop Cline.

Gov’t don’t have a money tree!

But while the aforementioned is only the personal opinion of Bishop Cline, he said that from where he sits as the Chairman of the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA), NHI is a necessity.

“If we are going to continue to get reimbursed for the services that we provide to those under 16 or those over 65 years of age and those who are un-insured, there is no way that health care in the BVI can continue to expand in terms of services and quality if we don’t have the money to do it,” he said.

The Chairman of the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) noted that the Government of the VI does not have a money tree and “obviously” they cannot continue to subsidise health insurance.

“So something has to be done. Now whether or not the NHI as it is, is all that needs to be done? I am not sure, but I know that National Health Insurance is a necessity for the health of the BVI interms of services, in term of quality,” Bishop Cline stated.

Meanwhile, Government has announced that the official launch of the first phase of the registration process of the National Health Insurance will be held on Tuesday, September 1, 2015 at 10:00 a.m.

The launch will be held at the Joshua J. Smith Building (Social Security Building).

NHI is expected to fully come on stream in January 2016.

46 Responses to “NHI should focus on the uninsured & under-insured – Bishop John I. Cline”

  • Yes (29/08/2015, 09:59) Like (22) Dislike (18) Reply

    If the insurance companies gave a $h*t they would have been proactive and step up long ago. This reminds me of ocean conversion resting on their laurels with the water issue and only taking action once biwater was in the picture and theatened their bottomline. This is about money for private insurers. If Cline and others truly understood how insurance works they wont be making such silly comments. If it was that.simple it would have been done long ago. NHI may not be.perfect but it will be better than these money hungry companies who only care about money and using technicalities to avoid paying claims. All of a sudden insurance companies are victims? We must be crazy!

    • Smile (30/08/2015, 12:26) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      As a community, we seem to be divided on NHI, which is being put in place to finance public healthcare. Something has to be done on public healthcare or it is going to collapse around us, so let's start a debate,
      - if not NHI what should be developed to finance public healthcare?
      - if NHI, should it be implemented in its current form or modified somehow?
    • Boo (30/08/2015, 17:59) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
      Business expands where there is a market to make money not charity. Obviously there is no market for under or uninsured persons or we wouldn't be having this conversation. This is where the market fails and government steps in through funding a plan, subsidizing premium through taxation, or providing subsidized services. Bishop is talking sense, and he usually does not. His NDP cronies should listen to his message for once here let the market deal with what it is dealing with and Government pick up the slack.

      They (NDP) have been told this many times but they want the whole hog. They want to administer 50 to 60 million as opposed to 20 to 30 million. Hence they want everybody in it by force. That is the only way they can guarantee to send as much of the money to the financial sinkhole Peebles. They prefer to tax us all to keep it afloat instead of manning up and dealing with the waste.
    • Really (01/09/2015, 10:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      How can anyone or insurance company proavtively stepped up to the NHI when all details of the framework is kept top secret and undisclosed. You can only rebut a situation when all details have been fully discolsed, and it exactly what the general public and insurance are doing now. come on use common sense, you cant spit out anything out your mouth until you put something in.
  • Eh eh (29/08/2015, 10:13) Like (26) Dislike (19) Reply
    He score points. Focus on the uninsured and the under-insured. That is exactly what they need to do. Leave people with their private insurance. How are persons barely making it who have spouse and unemployed children, who out of school, going to afford this thing? Cover the unemployed for at least 3 months and help them find jobs to support this scheme that going turn this place bottom up. First an underfunded hospital and now this. This to add to an underfunded cruise pier project and $16 million to pay back to social security which was the money borrowed to fix roads and put up walls in the midst of election - indirect campaign funds (even though it more direct). Anyhow, them little bit of wall and road cost so much money? Why work slow down so, but that even is not half the money yet. Where the report on this $16 million.
    • sense (29/08/2015, 19:57) Like (22) Dislike (0) Reply
      Your comment was spot on and i like mr cline's suggestions as well it just seemed so unreasonable and unnecessary for government to try to give everyone nhi when only the uninsured really need it
    • @Eh eh (29/08/2015, 20:41) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
      Good Point John...the minister needs to re-think this whole NHI. I am in agreement we need something but something we can understand. I keep saying also the small businesses will suffer. Why does an employer have to pay for an employee? They already paying SS..how are their businesses to survive. Sounds like a National Mess to me right about now, The people in charge cannot understand it themselves let alone explain to the public. Coming off sounding like dictatorship if you ask me..Do it or else? Since have have we come to this?
  • thoughtful (29/08/2015, 10:17) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
    Why not reduce NHI coverage to treatment at the hospital and government clinics only, with also emergency evacuation services for persons the local hospital is unable to treat. This way the mandatory contributions could be substantially reduced, and persons who wish could continue with private coverage for local doctors and overseas treatment as at present. To expect NHI to cover ALL medical and dental treatment, both local and overseas, is asking too much!
  • lmao (29/08/2015, 10:47) Like (15) Dislike (21) Reply
    LOL...you full of $hit!!! If you and rest of the thieves can afford it then go and have it. No one is begging you to join the insurance company. I know it work for a great numbers of people and still working. Most of the people you'll are targeting is who can't even afford another penny and the whole bunch of jack $sses don't care. All you are waiting for is to lay back laugh and thief more from the hospital. No one care a rat $ss if people have anything to eat. This NLS going down and by the time people get up off of their $aa and hiding behind the blogs the government minister will be on their private yachts on their on islands laughing at you'll dumb $ss.

    One thing is for sure it's not going down without a fight. The people are ready this time.
  • political snitch (29/08/2015, 11:02) Like (42) Dislike (5) Reply
    I wish this country had ministers who used to listen......The majority of our government ministers are very bullheaded......Think that they know it all!
    • voter (30/08/2015, 08:33) Like (7) Dislike (6) Reply
      We recently re-elected those bull-headed ministers and guess what, we knew that they were bull-headed when we voted NDP all the way.............so why complain now?
    • @political snitch (30/08/2015, 08:53) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      In general, I agree with you, but so are you and you like to hide everything to much. Hide is your first, middle and last name. This is tantamount of wrong doing. So this is a situation of the pot calling the kettle black.
  • tretretrete (29/08/2015, 13:10) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    shutup and show us the facts, show us the plans and the studies that were presented when nhi was just a thought. Answer the god damn questions the private insurers asked. you and ur brotherhood playin wid my people dem lives.
  • jusblve (29/08/2015, 13:22) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is the best idea so far.
  • stop (29/08/2015, 13:34) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
    pastor clyne the big question is what are we going to do to stop this thing. The NHI programm is no good it is more expensive for the consumer its not even half as good as the insurance. Who is the Gov to introduce such a thing the people have to stand up.
  • talk (29/08/2015, 13:40) Like (6) Dislike (6) Reply
    Amen Bishop your the best please put some sense in their head
  • Help (29/08/2015, 13:40) Like (11) Dislike (3) Reply
    You see people can say all nasty things about this man true or not but where are all the other churches and pastors about this issue. I guess they don't want to offend the Gov. They never have nothing to say about any issue that will affect this country in the long and short term. Only bishop Clyne no wonder the devil attacks him the hardest. Where are the backbenchers who feel that this thing is wrong.
  • hah (29/08/2015, 14:53) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    NHI isn't just to simply provide insurance for all residents of the BVI if that was the case government would have been focused on just the uninsured. NHI is the prescribed cure for the over $110 million that was spent to semi complete the hospital. NDP know that in order for NHI to work they will need more than just the uninsured in order to properly fund the project. The hospital at one point was over 80% of all debts in the BVI. The hospital will be operating at a loss for the next several decades and the NDP no what has to be done to help ease that heavy burden that they caused by overreaching in 2003.
  • foot (29/08/2015, 14:58) Like (24) Dislike (2) Reply
    lets march on the NDP and NHI
  • what if? (29/08/2015, 15:30) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Will the government continue to support individuals with pre conditions and who are forced to give up their current plan if /when NHI goes belly up?. We know the current insurance companies would not take them back. Just asking!
  • true tolian (29/08/2015, 18:01) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    I have been following up on all the points the insurance companies has been
    putting forward.But can the insurance companies answer these questions.
    What happens if my company lays me off and no longer pays,would my premiu
    go up drastically since i will be paying my self.
    When i retire from my job and needs to continue would i be denied because of
    pre existing condition.
    We all know insurance is in the business of making money and will find any way
    not to have to pay out,I think they need to step up to the plate and tell the people
    how they can better
  • eye (29/08/2015, 19:21) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    This man scored a few points but still messed up. Why is he continuing to pound on the seniors? If they did not work to build this country he would not be here enjoying the sweet. He thinks Peebles belong to him and his colleagues but it belongs to the tax payers who worked long hours for little. They are not needed, they are making the health service fail .A government hospital should not be in the hands of people who do not know medicine. They are just trying to get the lions share and trying to deny the rightful owners good health care. Now there is a lawyer on the payroll what is her role in health care? U.S. Virgin Islands are our neighbors learn from there. No one is above the law.
    • @eye (31/08/2015, 13:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      What kinda fool are you. U ever heard of mal practice lawd suits. What hospital today do not have a lawyer on staff?
  • Capt. Obvious (29/08/2015, 19:25) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    So the insurance companies are our friends now. Why are we so gullible. Their overseas head offices pissing themselves because their is a threat to their cash cow. Please. They are going to make more money than ever. Their customer base is going to skyrocket because now they are going to offer supplemental insurance to cover the copays of the mandatory NHI. Keep it 100.
  • egg face (29/08/2015, 20:42) Like (9) Dislike (4) Reply
    NDP LISTEN TO NO ONE WE DO NOT WANT NHI BOTTOM LINE
  • I wonder (29/08/2015, 21:31) Like (24) Dislike (0) Reply
    How many of you who are complaining voted them in???
    • Faye (01/09/2015, 20:41) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Incase u didnt know ... NHI wain the making weather NDP VIP PPP PEP got in ... Once the Hospital was in existence so would the NHI ...... know your facts !!!!!!!!!!!
  • SOMETHING!! (30/08/2015, 09:11) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    Something needs to be done!! Our Hospital cannot run on it's own people...i like what the bishop is saying, everything has a price from buying a towel to a pillow to beds, paying staff, paying electricity, paying water sighhh, then when we do not get the proper health care we complain....NHI needs to be revamped, but i see nothing wrong with people taking a little out of their pay to help our hospital?
    • @something (30/08/2015, 17:49) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      That is b.s why should the people pay the cost to fix the government's mess. Both sides let the hospital project go ovet budget and now we have to give even more out of our pay to cover their failures. Taxation without representation is tyranny
  • reality (30/08/2015, 09:36) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
    NHI is a necessary evil if our Heath system is to survive. It is either NHI or an eqivalent increase in taxes or a reduction in Jobs and services
    • Hellooo (30/08/2015, 12:59) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      what about prioritorising what work is done. That would work better. Think on it if you raise taxes, some sort of salary increase has to come with it to survive in the BVI economy. Price control Policy need to be implemented. If you reduce jobs, it would create an unemployment rate that you would not wish to deal with because the social services would be ripping at the seams. It already ripping. This scheme could have been done better. Point blank. leave persons with their private insurance alone. Give persons a choice to either get private insurance or enroll with NHI. Make it mandatory to have health insurance and of course leave the penalty there for anyone who fails to do so by the deadline. Undo this thing now.
  • Mmm Mmm Mmm (30/08/2015, 10:32) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Gov. Have a noose around all our necks. Once we're all buying GOV insurance (NHI) the average person cannot afford to go and purchase private insurance on top of that so that we can choose where we prefer our medical care.

    Not only will the insurance companies have to lay off workers, even small businesses will have to lay off workers too as employers are required to pay a portion of NHI for their employees. So the negative effects of insurance for all are far-reaching.

    Even GOV knows that NHI is not good because from day one they've been encouraging people to get supplemental private insurance. They not even covering the basics of insurance with this thing to make it an easy and more realistic pill to swallow. No no no. They introducing all aspects of health insurance that they know financially they cannot handle to pay out in this small country.

    Our clinics cannot handle the small number of people that utilize their services right now what will happen when NHI kicks in. Even at the hospital you are sometimes told that they don't have anymore beds and you either in the ER indefinitely or have to go home and return in an even worse condition hoping that they have space.

    Right now GOV have a reputation of taking forever and a day to pay for services rendered to the point where some local companies are no longer taking their purchase orders. When private health facilities both locally and abroad start experiencing this they will no longer accept NHI so we will have to pay out of pocket and pray that Gov will reimburse us before we die.

    I wonder what other new tax GOV plans on introducing next.
  • Just saying (30/08/2015, 10:44) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Very great point raised and I do believe it should happen that way Bishop....However nothing will change if everyone keeps blogging on these articles and not willing to physically stand strong against things that are affecting them...How was a deal overturned years ago so that all can enjoy Wickham's Cay today ? Can it be done in this era? Yes it can!!!! ...Mobilise and take action as a PEOPLE.
    • for real (30/08/2015, 12:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      They overturn a contract with BiWater so them well could overturn a policy they make themself. Do not blame Barry because he is only they messenger. They already prove that when the minister want something it can happen. People do not blame Barry he is only the carrier. Where is the minister for health?
  • Real (30/08/2015, 14:59) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    These politicians think they are above the law.they continue to hurt the people of this territory. They are trying to bleed poor people while they hide their money. It is a shame how these boys who came from humble beginnings are not carrying this country into disaster. When they are finished they will be rich and the rest of us will be beggars. Hope they are stopped before they destroy this community. NHI in its present form is bad for the country.
  • QUESTION???? (30/08/2015, 15:16) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Let us suppose that after we have given up our former insurance to NHI. And us us say that NHI goes belly up.
    Do you know we will have to pay more for the premiums to get back in? For the older you are the more money you pay for insurance.
  • MICKEY MOUSE (30/08/2015, 21:01) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Reply to Question blog.You make some very good point.For instance you are insured right now. NHI go bottoms up ,you are 65 yrs . Don't matter how healthy you are no insurance company no private insurance company will noe insurce you . What will you do then.
  • How about it (31/08/2015, 09:18) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply

    How about taxing cigarettes and alcohol, sodas, and fatty salty foods and using this to offset 1.5% of the NHI employee required tax? How about putting some incentives into the program such as if you attend a gym, don't smoke or consume alcohol for a year then you can claim a return at the end of the year?

  • wisdom (31/08/2015, 21:30) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Look, if the government want to help the people of the BVI, then the focus should be on the unsured and the under-insured. People need to decide on what they want.
  • review (01/09/2015, 05:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Cline making some sense. just some, Govt all over the world subsides government hospital just like they do for education and all other ministries. NHI in my view is very good with out the review board or give the review board a time limit to act on applications. so people can't be victimized like the immigration board that have applications file away and hide away for years with no action
  • concern (01/09/2015, 11:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Very good point Bishop. There are other ways of getting money to pay off our country's debts. 1) start taxing alcohol, cigarettes, western union and moneygram money transfers. 2) Every unsured persons (except children & elderly) that need medical assistance from the hospital, ensure a desposit of $150, $250, $500 or $1,000 depending on the level of medical attention, just make sure uno refund the people dem money immediately if some funds not used, dont rip them off now. God is watch . 3) Increase Drivers Licence Fee and Vehicle Licencing Fee - seriously the BVI is very low. 4) Increase the Offshore Business Licence by 2%. 5) Increase all trade licence by $20. Dont be scared NDP , these are all annual fees the business wont feel it as much. Comparing to take $288 annually from one person earming minimum wages, you basically taking away food and pampers for that child, what if that person have an unemployed spouse, it will become $288 × 2.... come on NDP that is just not fair.
  • nutmeg (01/09/2015, 17:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Bishop clearly does not understand NHI given his proposal. This is shame since he is the chairman of the HSA. Has anyone read the UWI report?????????????
  • Lily Ann (01/09/2015, 20:44) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    NHI was scripted to be in existence wether NDP VIP PPP or PEP was in ......once that hospital existed...so would the NHI ....
  • Curious (02/09/2015, 10:39) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    I think the NHI should have been for ppl who dont have Insurance ..... its not a bad idea but it becomes a BAD idea when the ppl who have insurance have no choice in sticking with their insurance or joining NHI ...... I REALLY DO THINK THEY NEED TO RETHINK OR A LOT OF BUSINESSES WILL BE PACKING UP , CLOSING AND MOVING AND SO SHALL THE PPL ..... SO TO NHI HOW WILL YOU PAY FOR THE HOSPITAL THEN? IF THE PPL AND BUSINESSES LEAVE ON THE TERMS THAT THEY CANT AFFORD IT AND THINK YOUR COVERAGE SUCKSSSSSSS..?????
  • bushman (04/09/2015, 13:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I foresaw job cuts in the insurance market due to the forced NHI, and I am saddened by the impending hardship that many will face! The insurance companies though are no saints and need a good shake up as their only concern is about making money! I have often questioned why are we charged several times the basic charges levied by the parent companies in their homeland!We are many times poorer, yet we are made to pay astronomical fees! I think the vision behind NHI, is to make a killing like other insurance businesses and specifically to use the industry as a third pillar on which to grow the the economy; but, we are over burdened and it makes no sense killing people with taxes! Everybody does not need junk medicine that ultimately destroys their body and is not in favour of fattening those making drugs to keep people hooked and sicker! I like my bush, I do not need insurance; if I am to die let me die naturally without injecting me with nonsense.


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