Residents uncomfortable @ Govt’s moving ahead with NHI
One such person is Ms Almeina O. Creque, who said, “This is a serious concern to me. We have serious concerns with this. No formal release to the public about this September start registration. I saw it first on some of them news site … but this is not fair to the people of this territory at all; they are failing us by not sticking to their promise of returning for further discussions with us.”
Among the other concerns of the resident is that of the Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton not making it public at this stage which is the underwriter insurance company for NHI. “That is something we need to know as a people who have to be paying into this. September is tomorrow and we don’t have this information. Is like telling us to give you our money without you telling me where you putting it and what you going to do with it.”
Community leaders also spoke
These were the very concerns of some leaders even some at the community level who had described it as a burden.
Dr Rawle R. Hannibal who contested the June 8, 2015 national elections as a Territorial At Large candidate had stated that if one is to look at the consultation paper it would be quickly realised that the coverage by NHI is inadequate; hence persons would be forced to procure "private" insurance for themselves and families.
He had outlined that some employers normally pay the premium for their employees but with NHI these employers would no longer be able to afford this practice, especially with the additional 3.75% mandatory contributions to NHI on the employee’s behalf.
NHI a burden
In his assessment, Dr Hannibal said the average person would be paying tax, Social Security, NHI and insurance premium, which would be a financial burden.
“The average salary cannot sustain this with the minimum wage in the BVI being where it is currently at $4.00 per/ hr. The cost of basic commodities is going up daily in the BVI. It’s my opinion that government needed to ask the local insurance companies, who are experts, to form a national group [in order] to dissect the insurance burden piece by piece [with] each one taking that coverage which they could best provide- locally and abroad - at the cheapest cost.”
He shared that such a venture would provide more private sector jobs and reduce the burden on government. “I implore BVIslanders to take a look at what is covered under the NHI. For example, most procedures are subject to be approved by a “board” and everybody knows how that works in the BVI.”
Opposition wants review of NHI
Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Honourable Julian Fraser RA (R3) has on several occasions shared the view that the current set structure of the NHI needs to be reviewed and revised before it can be implemented.
NHI is also being criticised by the Opposition as a callous scheme of the National Democratic Party (NDP) government to recover money for the construction and upkeep of the massive Peebles Hospital.
On the other hand, Chairman of the BVI Health Services Authority (BVISHA) Bishop John I. Cline has been calling for the speedy implementation of NHI as he sees it as the only way of pulling the health care sector out of the “deep pit” it is currently in.
Funding for NHI
According to public information, NHI will be funded by contributions made by all employed persons, whether locals or expats, working in the Virgin Islands, and deducted in the same manner as social security contributions.
Contributions will be based on a percentage rate applied to a maximum of twice the national insurable earnings which was most recently set at US$38,610 per annum for 2014.
Accordingly, the ceiling for NHI deductions on earnings would be US$77,220 - any income earned above that figure would not be subject to deduction. Income up to that level would be subject to the NHI deduction at the proposed initial rate is 7.5%. That rate is to be split equally between employer and employee - so the employee has 3.75% deducted from their salary, and the employer pays a 3.75% levy on payroll.
The maximum monthly contribution for an individual would be US$482.63 per month based up on 2014 maximum insurable earnings.
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58 Responses to “Residents uncomfortable @ Govt’s moving ahead with NHI”
I agree with you these people don't care about we the people and the dribbling two cents that we make. I mean they can have there NHI but leave us with our insurance I have my personal insurance for my family now they pushing this sh.t downyour neck. We can't afford this shit . This means you have to take this sh.t they send you overseas to what doctor they want it can't work . They have their millions dollar insurance come on man. By time we do go overseas we will be dead for nobody will recognize this sh.t. You all need to please consider the poor
Wait on that!!
Hush your *ss like you exempt form it. Do you like space you fool.
The hopital needs to be staffed with competent doctors and other cmpetent support staff. Moreover it needs proper diagnostic equippment. Even if we have afffiliations with the best hospitals, they are still thousands of miles away and that does not work in emergency cases. I have no confidence that all is well at that hospital You can go into that hospital and get progressively worst right in there and noone is aware until you die or are almost dead. Pure negligence is going on at Peebles. I am not giving up my insurance to be told I cannot seek the care of competent doctors! Furthermore it is not fair for no one to ask or expect you to do so. Do not tell me I have and option to keep it either. I can only afford one, not both! Ronnie get the healthcare in good shape then proceed. That is my 10cents!
If you don't know what socialism or communism is all about, you are about to find. Welcome to Beijing brothers and sisters.
IF that permission is granted you can only go to a facility they select for you. There is no choosing where you want to go under NHI. If you don't have private insurance in addition to NHI, like it or not, you are subject to whatever decision is made for you by the NHI Board.
Get rid of C..ty she's a mess every where she goes. FIRED ANGUILLA, FIRED ST. CROIX, FIRED ST. THOMAS! Why keep her in the BVI?
http://virginislandsdailynews.com/news/jackson-testifies-about-confrontations-with-carty-1.1159522
Just my two cents