'People fear NHI a done deal' - Doug Wheatley

- talk show host is still hopeful that meeting with the Premier will bear fruit

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Radio talk show host Doug Wheatley noted that it had been a week since the group of which he is a part, the NHI Concerned Citizens and Residents Group, presented a petition to Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith and though they have had no feedback they remain positive. Photo: VINO/File

Doug Wheatley, along with Edmund G. Maduro, Winston E. Nibbs aka La Fontey and Natalio D. Wheatley aka Sowande Uhuru on Tuesday October 13, 2015 following a meeting with Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith. Photo: VINO/File

"We all left the meeting feeling that it had gone well and that he ball was now in the court of the Premier as he is the leader of government business," Wheatley said. Photo: Provided

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Radio talk show host Doug Wheatley noted that it had been a week since the group of which he is a part, the NHI Concerned Citizens and Residents Group, presented a petition to Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith and though they have had no feedback they remain positive.

He was speaking last night October 20, 2015 as host of the Speak Out BVI show aired on ZBVI 780 AM.

"We all left the meeting feeling that it had gone well and that the ball was now in the court of the Premier as he is the leader of government business," he said, noting that it would be up to the Premier to liaise with the Ministry of Health and his ministers and other Cabinet colleagues in the Caucus.

He is of the belief that the Premier and his colleges are going to consult widely, locally and further afield.

"We feel that they should be given the time to do that adequately before they respond to us and of course we will be waiting with bated breath that response," he said.

However, according to Wheatley, persons on the street have expressed to him that they fear that despite the efforts of the group, the NHI might have already fallen to the 'done deal' fate.

He said that two young men met him on the street recently and expressed to him their fear that the government may just go ahead with the scheme as is, with the justification that hundreds of persons have already been registered since the September 1, 2015 commencement of registration.

He said that despite the various towing and frowing taking place in the community in the discussion, the members of the delegation believe that the government in all honesty look very carefully and seriously at what they put forward for the people of the Virgin Islands and that they make decisions in the best interest of the people.

The controversial National Health Insurance is slated to come fully on stream on January 1, 2016.

12 Responses to “'People fear NHI a done deal' - Doug Wheatley ”

shaw (21/10/2015, 09:12) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
For real
Xxxx (21/10/2015, 09:37) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
done deal for locals but meetings for expats
Hopeless (21/10/2015, 10:26) Like (16) Dislike (3) Reply
I understand that most sensible companies in the private sector that now provide full insurance for their employees are not going to pay the employees portion of the NHI but are negotiating for with private insurers to provide supplemental insurance for their employees so that they do not have to rely on the poor choice of service provided by NHI and so that they continue to have access to first class medical services and choice of service provider. I hope that is what my employer is doing. At the moment they pay for all my health insurance - it provides fabulous coverage and costs them about $350 per month. Under the NHI scheme, I will have to pay about $350 per month and they will have to pay about $350 per month - so it will cost twice as much for less coverage and almost no choice. I really hope they pay for the supplemental insurance because I don't want to be left to the mercy of the lack of choice and service under NHI.
- Big Trust Company (21/10/2015, 12:28) Like (5) Dislike (9) Reply
  We are certainly looking at supplemental health insurance. We do care about our employees and are worried about the level of service, and the choice of service, they will get under NHI. We are really really worried about NHI.
- Outsider (22/10/2015, 21:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
  I'd be pessimistic about the notion of "supplemental insurance": the lines are too gray. Ultimately, when sick, you will want to use the best hospitals and doctors. You will want to pick what your private provider offers. It just won't be "supplemental" and if it is, it wouldn't work at all, because you would not have the right to choose. Also, the market in the VI is probably too small for them to design niche "supplemental" policies.
  
  If they do come out with a "supplemental" policy, if is any good, it will likely cost nearly the same as what you buy now.
  
  That's my guess. I am not an expert though and hope I am wrong.
Voice of Reason (21/10/2015, 12:18) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
A numbers look at why NHI can’t/won’t work. Lets for debate’s sake say that our population is 50,000. of that 50,000 how many are aged 0-18? next, of the population between 18-64 how many are employed/unemployed? What is the population of those over 65? Of the population of those employed, how many of them earn from minimum wage to $75,000? And how many earn from $75,000 to $150,000+? These are hard numbers that we need to look at and then and only then can we see if NHI can be sustained… A statement by a leader in a country saying “don’t be selfish” is not acceptable. Please just give us the FACTS
Eagle Eye (21/10/2015, 12:48) Like (13) Dislike (3) Reply
Ndp will learn next election
- hms (21/10/2015, 14:10) Like (16) Dislike (3) Reply
  fat chance the people in the bvi are pretty gullible
- wize up (21/10/2015, 22:13) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
  @ Eagle Eye: I am in full agreement BUT who will step up to the plate: our territory truly need another vibrant political party; we need creative minds and bold thinkers: VIP will not be resurrected before 2015(damage goods)....
Alas (21/10/2015, 15:07) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
Sorry to say, but it does look like a done deal, good or bad. IMHO does not look like it was fully thought out in terms of coverage, and costs, both for insured and BVIHSA.
Success (21/10/2015, 20:19) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
Done deal. Good for the BVI. The college had lot more opposition. Look at it progress today. The amount of people working there. The amount of students past through there. Opposition will always be when something is new, that's natural. NHI Would be a success.
wize up (22/10/2015, 07:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
my question; will any of those guy on radio or tv fighting NHI offer you any financial assistance should you become ill: give NHI a chance then fine tune it where needed: some persons should recall that some person fought against social security, some persons fought against the college and some fought against Noel park BUT all of these developments has proven to be beneficial for our territory:..... change is a must and the implementation of new schemes will come with any progressive society: most of them on radio chatting @$$ were in position back in the 60s and 70s and did nothing for our development back then: here we are in 2015 trying to implement things that should be on stream from the 80s

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'People fear NHI a done deal' - Doug Wheatley

12 Responses to “'People fear NHI a done deal' - Doug Wheatley ”

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