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‘There is the possibility of changes to NHI’ – Premier Smith

- said the territory must ‘wait & see’
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith said there is the possibility that adjustments can be made with the National Health Insurance (NHI) in the face of criticism. Photo: VINO
The NHI Concerned Citizens and Residents Group are still seeking changes to the NHI as outlined in the petition that they submitted to the Premier on October 13, 2015. Photo: Provided
The NHI Concerned Citizens and Residents Group are still seeking changes to the NHI as outlined in the petition that they submitted to the Premier on October 13, 2015. Photo: Provided
Deputy Director of the Social Security Board with responsibility for the NHI, Mr. Roy N. Barry stated that he was happy with the positive attitude and response of the Latin community. Mr. Barry said, “The presentation was ably delivered to them in Spanish and they left satisfied and willing to spread the word to those who could not attend the meeting. We printed our brochures in Spanish as well to assist in the education process to bridge the language barrier.” Photo: GIS
Deputy Director of the Social Security Board with responsibility for the NHI, Mr. Roy N. Barry stated that he was happy with the positive attitude and response of the Latin community. Mr. Barry said, “The presentation was ably delivered to them in Spanish and they left satisfied and willing to spread the word to those who could not attend the meeting. We printed our brochures in Spanish as well to assist in the education process to bridge the language barrier.” Photo: GIS
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith said there is the possibility that adjustments can be made with the National Health Insurance (NHI) in the face of criticism.

Speaking to this news site last evening December 15, 2015, Premier Smith said that even at the last minute registration is going well and people are still signing up. 

It has been this news site’s observation that lines to pick up forms and sign up were long over the past few days.

“Even at this last moment registration is going well. Most of the providers are all signed up as well. So I think we are off to a good start,” Premier Smith said.

“There is always the possibility for change especially when something is new. There’s always the possibility that it may need some adjustments but we will have to wait and see,” he said.

No response to petition

The NHI Concerned Citizens and Residents Group are still seeking changes to the NHI as outlined in the petition that they submitted to the Premier on October 13, 2015.

The NHI Concerned Citizens and Residents Group, according to our source, is now seeking to send the NHI petition to the Queen since it has not received any official response from Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith on the petition delivered to him two months ago.

Good response from Latin community

According to a press release from Government Information Service (GIS), the Latin community is responding well to the registration exercise.

The release, put out yesterday, said that the Latin community in the Virgin Islands has been educated on the benefits of the NHI following a meeting held with representatives of the Social Security Board.

Deputy Director of the Social Security Board with responsibility for the NHI, Mr Roy N. Barry stated that he was happy with the positive attitude and response of the Latin community.

Mr Barry said, “The presentation was ably delivered to them in Spanish and they left satisfied and willing to spread the word to those who could not attend the meeting. We printed our brochures in Spanish as well to assist in the education process to bridge the language barrier.”

President of the Dominican Association, Mr Santiago Robles expressed his gratitude to the management and staff of NHI, for ensuring that the Latin community was informed, according to the release.

He added, “On behalf of the Dominican Association and the wider Latin community, I would like to say thank you, for bringing the Information to us in our language and further having a presentation to ensure that we understand and are comfortable with the Information”.

21 Responses to “‘There is the possibility of changes to NHI’ – Premier Smith”

  • Xxx (16/12/2015, 09:09) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hummmmm
  • Whoknowknow (16/12/2015, 11:05) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Oh Doc! Hasn't it already changed for some who had special meetings.
  • AHH (16/12/2015, 11:13) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Aaah wait until he get the phone call from the two other Docs
  • voter (16/12/2015, 11:14) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Any overseas providers signed up? How is the unknown entity JIPPA working out so far?
    • Wes (16/12/2015, 21:48) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      That's just a middleman to skim cream and deposit it in an appropriate account.
  • VG 1 (16/12/2015, 12:15) Like (34) Dislike (1) Reply
    This is a TAX not an insurance. Anything that is mandatory to pay to a government is tax.
    • HMPH (socal comantatar) (16/12/2015, 13:29) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
      wid insurance yous is suposed to getting somting back but dis tax aint going give yous nuttin worth havin, and you better buy suplemnatals insurance o a proper insurance compeny or yous is dun for come yous gettin sick
  • B. Savage (16/12/2015, 12:48) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply

    Of course their will be changes smh so here is how we get £$%^& with no vaseline. 1st we get everybody signed up, nice affordable rate. 2, once we all signed up we see the tax and it's not bad we're cool. Last but not least, by 2017 or so we will raise the rate to about 5 or 6 percent, drop some of the coverage for some services and you can cry til hell freeze over. It aint a damn thing you can do about it!

  • voter (16/12/2015, 13:17) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    LATIN COMMUNITY?????? We are not latin Hon. Premier. I never hear more.
  • wow (16/12/2015, 13:49) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    Anything of this magnitude must be subject to changes, tweaks etc as time goes by. Why would anybody be surprised to hear this?
  • Backups (17/12/2015, 01:33) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    A supplement. Back up another insurance. Is just what it is. They will ask you did you try NHI. You have to see what NHI is saying first.. Then if NHI fails. Only then your back up will click in. Be careful with your back up
  • Appeal (17/12/2015, 01:44) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Two changes I wish to see. 1/ P.A.Y.E..2/ We need an appeal option so when the board deny our overseas treatment we have a recourse thats quick which is the ultimate authority. . There will be biases. Its human nature
  • Crashed (17/12/2015, 01:54) Like (4) Dislike (9) Reply
    The new hospital just doesn't fit or is a good compliment for NHI. With Insurance there needed to be lot more single person private rooms and more specialists.. That huge lobby wasn't necessary that was space for 10 private rooms..A bad pilot. We will crash.
    • stop it! (17/12/2015, 10:31) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
      Not WE! Crash by yourself and stop involving others. Your ignorant foolish talk is what needs to crash. Misery loves company! Hope for the best and speak positive, instead of adding words of curse over this territory.
  • PHILLIP (17/12/2015, 09:08) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    PEPOLE LET'S JUST BE THANKFUL FOR WHAT WE HAVE,IT COULD OF BEEN WORST.WE AS A PEOPLE COMPLAINS TO MUCH.LOOK AT THE OUTSIDE WORLD AND SEE WHAT'S GOING ON.WE DOING GREAT COMPARE TO THEM.
  • Emergency (17/12/2015, 09:14) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Everyone know that sometimes illness can occur and you do not have time for board meetings and back ups to make decisions. Delays will cost lost of lives. I am asking the Lord to have mercy on us because many will die because of this NHI.
    • B. Savage (17/12/2015, 09:56) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
      So let us forget NHI and these same people who going die would like services to save their lives. AND THEN WALK AWAY WITHOUT PAYING A DIME CAUSE THE COUNTRY OBLIGATED TO SAVE THEIR LIVES FOR FREE RIGHT? FOOOLISH!!!
  • Charley Rose (17/12/2015, 15:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I firmly believe the NHI will be benificial, however, some of the local service providers and the public medical service must look at long term revenue recovery and it be affordable for everyone. If that is not done, some people will reduce to POVERTY and some who can afford will travel overseas for medical.
  • wow (17/12/2015, 17:53) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Stop pretending and fooling people you guys already said its a done deal, government does what it wants


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