'NHI will be a burden on the average person' – Dr Rawle R. Hannibal
This came from Territorial At Large candidate Dr Rawle R. Hannibal while making public his vision for the territory.
Speaking specifically of the NHI, Dr Hannibal stated that if one is to look at the consultation paper it would be quickly realised that the coverage by NHI is inadequate; hence persons would be forced to procure "private" insurance for themselves and families.
He outlined that some employers normally pay the premium for their employees but with NHI these employers would no longer be able to afford this practice, especially with the additional 3.75% mandatory contributions to NHI on the employee’s behalf.
NHI a burden
In his assessment, Dr Hannibal said the average person would be paying tax, Social Security, NHI and insurance premium, which would be a financial burden.
“The average salary cannot sustain this with the minimum wage in the BVI being where it is currently at $4.00 per/ hr. The cost of basic commodities is going up daily in the BVI. It’s my opinion that government needed to ask the local insurance companies, who are experts, to form a national group [in order] to dissect the insurance burden piece by piece [with] each one taking that coverage which they could best provide- locally and abroad - at the cheapest cost.”
He shared that such a venture would provide more private sector jobs and reduce the burden on government. “I implore BVIslanders to take a look at what is covered under the NHI. For example, most procedures are subject to be approved by a “board” and everybody knows how that works in the BVI.”
Recommendations to NHI
Dr Hannibal said he is of the opinion that some very important services are included in NHI coverage, including ambulatory patient services, emergency care, hospitalisation, maternity and newborn services, mental health and addiction services, prescription drug coverage, rehabilitation and rehabilitative care, laboratory and medical imaging services, preventive and wellness services, along with chronic disease management and pediatric care and dental and vision services.
“It’s incumbent on any government not to impose hardship upon its citizens, especially the less fortunate among us and retirees, school children, elderly and the mentally insane. They must have universal coverage.”
Opposition wants review of NHI
Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Honourable Julian Fraser RA (R3) has on several occasions shared the view that the current set structure of the NHI needs to be reviewed and revised before it can be implemented.
NHI is also being criticised by the Opposition as a callous scheme of the National Democratic Party (NDP) government to recover money for the construction and upkeep of the massive Peebles Hospital.
On the other hand, Chairman of the BVI Health Services Authority (BVISHA) Bishop John I. Cline has been calling for the speedy implementation of NHI as he sees it as the only way of pulling the health care sector out of the “deep pit” it is currently in.
Funding for NHI
According to public information, NHI will be funded by contributions made by all employed persons, whether locals or expats, working in the Virgin Islands, and deducted in the same manner as social security contributions.
Contributions will be based on a percentage rate applied to a maximum of twice the national insurable earnings which was most recently set at US$38,610 per annum for 2014.
Accordingly, the ceiling for NHI deductions on earnings would be US$77,220 - any income earned above that figure would not be subject to deduction. Income up to that level would be subject to the NHI deduction at the proposed initial rate is 7.5%. That rate is to be split equally between employer and employee - so the employee has 3.75% deducted from their salary, and the employer pays a 3.75% levy on payroll.
The maximum monthly contribution for an individual would be US$482.63 per month based up on 2014 maximum insurable earnings.
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43 Responses to “'NHI will be a burden on the average person' – Dr Rawle R. Hannibal”
personal act together.
Tell the people why you had to run atlarge, out of ignorance.
So you get cancer or some other long term illness and then your insurance caps out, then what? You will cut your throat and die or you will go begging for Government help. Stop talking $&#% NHI means there will be funding for ALL needing insurance. Education is key in this country! Imagine most people walking around with mobile gadgets with internet but will never do their own research, only repeat @#$& that others say. NHI doesn't discriminate when it comes to pre-existing conditions. Try getting insurance somewhere else with the same. Try reading the fineprint of your employer paid for insurance. There is a cap and a good accident or long time illness will eat up that money within a few years then you will be a fri& to we the people, with no proper funding for care. BVI was never a place to let people die whether they had insurance or not. Let us contribute so that all of us have a chance at a healthy life and survival. Further, many talk about their insurance but what about those who don't have?
A well-designed public-education campaign could go a far way in changing the narrow mindset that we as a populace have towards prioritizing private health coverage. We have become so dependent on running to government for everything, that we see nothing wrong with saddling the country with an exorbitant tax and strain on health services that could be avoided. There is a relatively inexpensive air ambulance insurance coverage available in the Territory, for example, that it is unconscionable that government is 'required' to foot the bill when persons need to be flown out.
NHI needs to be re-thought, as the gargantuan task of funding it on an annual basis might ironically result in a less-than-adequate health services regime. The constant delays in NHI's roll out might be indicative of just how problematic the NHI scheme really is.