Premier Smith meets NHI petitioners in 'good natured' exchange
The meeting, which Virgin Islands News Online had first reported was rescheduled, took place today October 13, 2015 at the Premier's Office and commenced a little over the scheduled start time of 10:00 am.
Among the persons who were part of the group attending the meeting were main instigator behind the NHI petition Natalio D. Wheatley aka Sowande Uhuru, Doug Wheatley, Winston E. Nibbs aka La Fontey, Edmund G. Maduro and a number of others.
The group is calling itself the NHI Concerned Citizens and Residents Group and is determined to have the NHI reconsidered with regards to some of the concerns raised.
A good-natured meeting
Speaking to this news site following the meeting, Natalio D. Wheatley said, “Well, it was a good natured meeting. We made a presentation to the Premier, presenting our concerns to him. We gave him a few alternatives that we thought were worth looking into and we appealed to him to take a look at some of these options and that we were willing to contribute in any way possible.”
According to Wheatley, they indicated at the meeting that all stakeholders involved seemed perfectly willing to negotiate a solution that was more acceptable for the majority of the people of the Virgin Islands.
Premier Smith showed appreciation – Sowande Uhuru
“[Premier Smith] showed appreciation for the presentation that we made. We had a short exchange after the presentation that was very good natured and he promised that he would have discussions with his colleagues and that he would get back to us,” said Wheatley.
He said the Premier did not specify a time by which he would be getting back to the group. “We would certainly hope that [his response] will come between now and January 1, 2016 when the NHI is to be fully implemented.”
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.
Some of the concerns
According to the letter, which accompanied the petition to the Premier, the National Health Insurance scheme will restrict choice as it pertains to health care providers.
They are concerned also that the 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,” they said. As such they are of the view that the National Health Insurance scheme will increase the cost of living.
According to the group, 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 group said.
Points easily refuted - Premier Smith
Premier Smith had said at his last press conference on October 8, 2015 that many of the points raised by the detractors of the NHI were easily refutable. In an interview some weeks ago he had told this news site that he needed to see what the petitioners were presenting on the NHI before making a pronouncement on the petition.
See link to previous story here:
http://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/en/news/premier-smith-to-meet-with-nhi-petitioners-tomorrow
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19 Responses to “Premier Smith meets NHI petitioners in 'good natured' exchange”
My suggestion to businesses and individuals is not to register. Boycott. That is what I am going to do and I will seek legal recourse if necessary.
Make this a tax say 2% and leave the right to chose what insurance you prefer in the hands of the individual.