UPDATE: 'Scheduling conflicts' blamed for snubbing of NHI petitioners
At a sit down session yesterday October 8, 2015, the Premier assured the media that he was unable to meet with the group because of scheduling conflicts and that he was still willing to meet with them.
However, when he was told that the group received a message saying that the Premier’s Office could not fix a time for the meeting and that they should perhaps meet with Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton, he agreed that this was a suitable course of action for the group to take.
“As a matter of fact it should be good for them to speak with the Minister [for] Health. That does not mean that they won’t speak with me,” he said.
“It was due to scheduling conflicts. As I said to them we are willing to meet with anyone to answer any questions but it was because of scheduling conflicts that [it was cancelled],” he said. “My secretary will be getting in touch with them about a new date very soon,” he said.
Premier Smith's itinerary yesterday included the contract renewal signing with Aqua Design (BVI) Ltd at the Office of the Premier, ceremony for the Great Festival Sloop Shootout and Heritage Regatta Awards at Nanny Cay and a 'one-on-one' with media personnel at the Office of the Premier.
Asked whether the NHI is a done deal, Premier Smith said that the NHI is something that is good for the people of the territory and that his Government will listen to anyone with suggestions or recommendations. “You would appreciate that some of the comments that are being made are easily rebutted,” he said.
Contacted today on the statements by Premier Smith, Natalio D. Wheatley aka Sowande Uhuru who started the petition said he had no comment at this time.
See previous article published October 8, 2015:
UPDATE: Premier Smith snubs NHI petitioners!
- group allegedly told that Premier will not be available & that they should attempt instead to reach Minister for Health & Social Development Hon Ronnie W. Skelton
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – The planned meeting between the NHI Concerned Citizens and Residents Group and Premier Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith which had been scheduled for tomorrow Friday October 9, 2015 has been cancelled.
This was revealed in a press statement from the group last evening October 7, 2015. The meeting would have seen the handing over of a petition with almost 700 or so signatures asking for the National Health Insurance (NHI) to be taken back to the drawing board to address a myriad of concerns.
According to the statement, the group was informed that the meeting originally scheduled with the Premier has been cancelled.
“On Wednesday 7th October someone from the Premier’s Office called to say that the Premier was no longer available for the meeting originally scheduled for Friday 9th October at 11am. Attempts to reschedule a date were made, but the Premier’s office indicated that there was no available date in the near future and suggested that attempts be made to meet with the Minister of Health and Social Development,” the statement said.
“Considering that the petition is addressed to the Premier, the head of the local government, every attempt will be made to reschedule a meeting with him in an effort to voice the concerns of hundreds of residents of the Virgin Islands,” the statement concluded.
This is a slight setback but we will not be deterred from our goal. The Premier publicly committed to a meeting and we expect that he will honour that commitment. We are disappointed that no other date was offered by the Premier’s Office but we will continue to press for a meeting,” said the main driver behind the group Natalio D. Wheatley aka Sowande Uhuru.
See previous article published on October 6, 2015:
NHI Petition to be handed to Premier Smith on Friday
- NHI Concerned Citizens & Residents Group hopes Premier will act on their recommendations
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – The sojourn of the National Health Insurance (NHI) petition which was started by social commentator and H. Lavity Stoutt Community College lecturer Natalio D. Wheatley aka Sowande Uhuru is close to the end as it will finally be handed to Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith on Friday October 9, 2015.
This is according to a press release issued yesterday October 5, 2015 by the NHI Concerned Citizens and Residents Group.
“The [Group] has scheduled a meeting with the Premier [Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith on Friday October 9, 2015 at 11am. A small delegation will present the Premier with a petition with hundreds of names asking that the government go back to the drawing board with the NHI,” said the release.
“A presentation outlining the compelling reasons for such a request will be conducted and, hopefully, a productive dialogue with the Premier will ensue,” it said.
The NHI Concerned Citizens and Residents Group is requesting that members of the public who have not had the opportunity to sign the petition would go to the website https://www.change.org/p/dr-hon-d-orlando-smith-premier-of-the-virgin-islands-stop-the-nhi-and-go-back-to-the-drawing-board and do so.
“This is an opportunity to influence a decision on a life-changing government initiative with potentially detrimental consequences,” it said.
In a comment to this news site last evening, Wheatley expressed optimism that the Premier will see reason and take the requested action.
“We are happy for the meeting and we hope that after careful consideration the Premier will engage all stakeholders and go back to the drawing board for a more satisfying solution to the majority of Virgin Islanders,” said Wheatley.
In an earlier comment to this news site, Premier Smith had said that he needed to see what the petition comes with before he could decide on a course of action. The NHI is to be fully implemented from January 1, 2016.
Letter to Premier Smith
The petition had attached to it a letter addressed to Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith expounding on all of the concerns regarding the NHI and what should be done. 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.
37 Responses to “UPDATE: 'Scheduling conflicts' blamed for snubbing of NHI petitioners”
MVW cancelled twice on my this year once in June then I could reschedule then again last month
Ronnie cancelled on me twice last month
Mark cancelled 1 in August and each attempt to reschedule is three months away.
Keep this going let me know if your political leaders are not interest on seeing their people
As a nation, what we don't want is for government to keep implementing tax regime that will leave us with little or no money in our pockets. And by the look of things that's the direction we are heading. Our government present mentality "I SAY SO, SO IT IS SO"!
I notice something for the past week & change & all it did is solidify the views of many the gov only know you when is election time. During election they were hot hot digging up roads and fixing quick quick. Now look at the stretch from Treasure Isle till by the festival grounds, look at the condition of road we driving on day after day. Set of jokers calling themselves a gov. When your leader can't lead what do you expect :/
NDP FULL OF $h*t BUT THERE IS ANOTHER ELECTION
Dr. Smith when you will stop being a li*rd....You fully was aware of the meeting and you pulled out wanted to send another member...All i have to say the truth will come out sooner than you all NDP thick and the public will see the true meaning of what you all are...just remember their is a GOD and what goes around comes back AROUND....