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