House of Assembly motion calls for InterHealth Canada Investigation

Providenciales, 27 Jan 2015 – The country should have already moved to capitation from cost plus in the case of the Interhealth Canada agreement for health care and health management at the country’s two hospitals. Capitation is basically a pre-determined amount for what health care in the country would cost; cost plus is a more free system where the country is paying a standard amount plus additional costs as presented by Interhealth Canada. Today during the House of Assembly debate, the Leader of the Opposition, Sharlene Robinson called for a three pronged investigation into the 10 bed and 20 bed facilities in Grand Turk and Provo. Hon Robinson asked the members of the House to support the investigation and the Governor’s appointed member, Hon John Phillips said he agrees and supports.

“I would have to say we have been underwhelmed by the success so far of the Interhealth Canada project. We are very concern, I have personally experienced three employees, one who is now dead, one who luckily survived because we sent him to Miami and the other one who is in very bad shape. I think an operation of scale which costs the government – I don’t remember the total figure we were just quoted – but $800 and some million over a 25-year period I think it is correct for the House to call for Interhealth Canada to provide us with audited statements, not only financial but technical, clinical whatever you were term; I think this is important not only to the government and the consolidated fund but also to the National Health Insurance program. We here in the House must demonstrate clearly that we are concerned and that we wish to bring InterHealth into line and we wish them to disclose honestly, openly and in a transparent manner to the people of the islands that they are doing their best to provide us with a service.”

The Opposition Leader shared there was explained early on that in three years, there would be a review of ICL, yet in 2013 there were questions about the review and government said it would not take place until 2015, six years later the country is still awaiting financial and clinical audits. Opposition appointed member, Hon Clarence Selver reminded that the entire agreement was struck to reduce the costs of overseas healthcare, but the figures show a steady incline in those expenses absorbing the lion share of the national budget each year at 22%. Selver expressed outrage and called it unacceptable that the Turks and Caicos who hired InterHealth Canada is now made to wait on information as they continue to pay the unaudited bills. He charged that the PNP Administration is proving that it does not have compassion on the issue, that the government is not representing the people well. The motion wants answers on the cost of construction, the operational agreement of the contract from beginning to end and why a 10 bed and 20 bed facility costs what it costs.