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'People must be heard if they have concerns over NHI!' - Hon RT O’Neal

- but adopts ‘wait & see’ stance as to how Premier will react over NHI petition
Former Premier, Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal OBE believes that Premier Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith should take heed of the concerns against the National Health Insurance (NHI) as manifested in a petition which will shortly reach the Premier. Photo: VINO/File
“The people have a right to make a petition. They must be able to mention their problems and we have to wait and see what will happen,” said Honourable O’Neal. Photo: VINO/File
“The people have a right to make a petition. They must be able to mention their problems and we have to wait and see what will happen,” said Honourable O’Neal. Photo: VINO/File
It is envisaged that when a reasonable number of signatures is gathered, the petition will be taken to Premier Smith along with an accompanying letter explaining the perceived ills of the NHI and proposing changes to the scheme as it is presently. Photo: Provided
It is envisaged that when a reasonable number of signatures is gathered, the petition will be taken to Premier Smith along with an accompanying letter explaining the perceived ills of the NHI and proposing changes to the scheme as it is presently. Photo: Provided
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Former Premier, Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal OBE believes that Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith should take heed of the concerns regarding the National Health Insurance (NHI) as manifested in a petition which will shortly reach the Premier.

A petition started by college lecturer and social commentator Natalio D. Wheatley aka Sowande Uhuru has been gaining traction over the past several weeks and so far has amassed over 600 signatures.

It is envisaged that when a reasonable number of signatures is gathered, the petition will be taken to Premier Smith, along with an accompanying letter explaining the perceived ills of the NHI and proposed changes to the scheme as it is presently.

Government plans to fully implement the NHI by January 1, 2016.

“The people have a right to make a petition. They must be able to mention their problems and we have to wait and see what will happen,” said Honourable O’Neal.

Not being a new initiative, the NHI had been a contemplation of past Governments over the last decade and would have had the involvement of the former Premier Honourable O’Neal.

“During my term nothing was put to the people as yet,” he recalled. “We were just working out the possibilities of something what we could go to the people with,” he said, adding that it was difficult to recall all of the details of how far they had gone in their NHI considerations prior to demitting office at the end of 2011.

Persons in the insurance sector believe the Government’s move to bring into force the National Health Insurance (NHI) is likely to put more persons on the breadline.

Insurance industry concerns

The Insurance Association of the BVI (IABVI) in a recent press release circulated throughout the territory stated that while members of the IABVI would like to offer its customers supplementary or top-up plans it does not feel this would be affordable to most customers due to the expense of NHI.

This news site sought the confirmation and further explanation of some of the leading insurance companies in the territory and, according to those who responded, they are likely to be facing a situation where they would have to send home a very large percentage of their staff in certain departments.

Letter to Premier Smith

The petition also has attached to it a letter addressed to Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith. It read:

“Dr. Hon. D. Orlando Smith, Premier of the Virgin Islands

“We, the undersigned, petition the Premier, the Head of the Government of the Virgin Islands in regards to the National Health Insurance scheme, which is slated to start on January 1st 2016. The following issues are of concern to us:

“The National Health Insurance scheme is mandatory for all persons residing in the Virgin Islands, and, therefore, may result in 60% of the population losing the private insurance provided through their employers who more than likely would not pay for both.

“The National Health Insurance scheme will restrict choice as it pertains to health care providers.

“The National Health Insurance scheme will more than likely result in the layoff of some employees working in the private health insurance industry.

“The National Health Insurance scheme will place an additional burden on small businesses, which may find it difficult to pay contributions to the scheme.

“The National Health Insurance scheme will increase the cost of living.

“The government has not presented evidence to the public that the National Health Insurance scheme will be viable and sustainable.

“Considering these factors, we, the undersigned, call on the Premier to halt the implementation of the NHI in its current form and initiate negotiations with the private insurance industry, employers, employees, citizens and residents and relevant government entities to create an insurance package that can provide coverage for the 40% of Virgin Islanders uninsured, allowing those who are satisfied with their private insurance to keep it,” the letter concluded.

22 Responses to “'People must be heard if they have concerns over NHI!' - Hon RT O’Neal ”

  • from here (21/09/2015, 08:50) Like (44) Dislike (2) Reply
    Tax, social security and now NHI...all of them mandatory .... My salary will be
    only to pay all those mandatory bill.... in the USA they give you back your tax,
    here you never see that money again. HELP us God.
  • Fools (21/09/2015, 09:13) Like (4) Dislike (30) Reply
    how come when he was in he never said a word against it...strupps RTO go sit down bossie..but the NHI must go
  • ... (21/09/2015, 09:49) Like (17) Dislike (7) Reply
    Bite off a small bit of food so that it can be swallowed. For those uninsured, yes, they can have NHI. We who already have insurance we have a constitutional right to choose to keep it or discard it for NHI. They want money for the hospital, then implement a health tax to subsidize health care of say 2% on the working class. So you will have:

    Employers paying either private or NHI for employees
    Employees who choose to keep their private insurance
    Employees under NHI
    A small tax on the entire working class to provide improved health services

    So LISTEN to the people and go back to the drawing board.
    • Music (21/09/2015, 10:16) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      We have yet to hear from any employer who says he/she will remove private health insurance from their employees if/when NHI comes in. Probably because they dont know any more than we do what full terms and conditions are.
  • true ,vision (21/09/2015, 10:54) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    try letting the blind see this with his eye closed.
  • enough (21/09/2015, 11:09) Like (24) Dislike (2) Reply
    There is too much "DONE DEALS" in the BVI. Persons in the BVI seek medical services overseas this is the way it is. IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN LIKE THIS. Charge all employed persons living in the BVI a medical or health tax; the employer can pay 1% while the employee pays 1%. There would be no cutoff amount you pay on the entire salary, and everyone will benefit. This is something that can work in the BVI. You cannot pattern us to be like other caribbean countries that we are not.
  • VG (21/09/2015, 11:59) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
    No need talking NDP does not listen
    • @ VG (21/09/2015, 22:53) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      AND YOU FOOL IN vg STILL VOTED FOR BETTIE
      • Hmm (22/09/2015, 10:19) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        set of idiots not VG alone the whole BVI so why are they complaining...suck it up...dictatorship/
  • Ayo (21/09/2015, 12:15) Like (18) Dislike (6) Reply
    ayo fools voted for the NDP so make up your bed and sleep in in BAM
  • rattie (21/09/2015, 13:35) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    thought Uncle said he retired
  • Riot (21/09/2015, 15:36) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Dr. Hannibal had long warned the people about this nhi the people weren't listening. Now this tax will consume us. like he said another approach was needed and he made a number of suggestions
  • Are you all for real (21/09/2015, 17:31) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    Around here, people always wait until the last moment to sound their voice. When they were calling meeting, people hardly attended, but now it is for real only now they could say something. Where were they all the time?
  • wize up (21/09/2015, 19:59) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    the territory has no opposition leadership in the halls of the house of assembly: if the opposition actually shows up to any sittings they usually sit and say nothing....
  • poor people suffering (21/09/2015, 21:39) Like (1) Dislike (6) Reply
    It it your family or friend? May be you have coverage for them. That poor elderly, the poor family who are crying for their family. People the nhi will help them don't be selfish help the helpless care for the sick and needie.

    Insurance lay offs will be employed by the nhi. I think the governments nhi network can employ them

    Help the poor and see s bless nation
  • question (22/09/2015, 11:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    We are 100% covered by our employer. We pay nothing out of pocket and have ASI , so now our employer said we will lose our ins because they can not afford to do both. if we chose to keep ASI we have to pay the full ride our-self
    300 per month in addition to the NHI fees . So i ask you dear NDP who do you think will really suffer ?
    Now I am in full agreement with the Health care tax of say 1% or even 2% to fund the those who don't have ins or assist hospital annual costs but 3.75% and 7% for dependents is wrong. This needs to be reviewed.
  • pain (22/09/2015, 18:29) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Some rough spots in nhi need ironing out but it can work. May be a smaller percentage but some thing need to be done to help the poor
  • No Visa (23/09/2015, 15:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    With the Cap it would be the poor paying for the rich. eliminate the cap, that would create a much larger flow, which can create a reduce rate for all to 5%, employer pay 2.5% and employee pay 2.5%. Remember those who don`t have visa.
  • oh really (24/09/2015, 12:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I wonder if he was still in gov and he was the premier would he listen to the ppl about their concerns. Only when they not in power they have the most to say but when they at the helm they do whatever the hell they want
  • yea (25/09/2015, 11:36) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Please hush I can very well remember when the VIP first mention about having health insurance for the it was said ,,,,it would have coverage for with out any health insurance so please hush, so see on of our biggest problem in the community is that if we don't like or care not for some one how easily we for get , if I can very mush recall that same mr. Ralph and his team was talking this Nhi in the year 2010/2011, again this Nhi was VIP hope on the table NOT the ndp so get that. Again an other initiative meet in office,the ndp take the advantage of and do what they want not thinking how and who it affects. They very we'll know that the way they are implementing Nhi wil have on some of its people but they don't care never care as it suits them and their dictators. And those that help them in deist ion making this only the smoke a lot moe to come just lay back and enjoy the ride we vote for this to happen ,,, for their is nothing we VIP can do .ndp is dead set on this . ..... Only we the people can make the change, only we


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