#TurksandCaicos, November 30, 2017 – Grand Turk – A heated exchange in TCI Parliament led to the member for Grand Turk North being kicked out of the House of Assembly; the suspension of George Lightbourne’s participation in debate Thursday came after repeated warnings from the House Speaker, Dwayne Taylor about Opposition side interruptions.
The Health Minister was presenting on the National Insurance Board Amendment Bill 2017, responding to Lightbourne’s strong challenges about stripping the board of members who represent the voice of the people, as described by the MP for Grand Turk North. Minister Edwin Astwood strongly differed in his view of reducing the size of the National Health Insurance Board, saying all of the board members including the Opposition’s appointed person were there to be the voice of the people, acting on behalf of the people.
The Minister expressed outrage at the thought that anyone on the NHIP board would do anything but take into consideration what is best for the people of the Turks and Caicos and also vehemently defended Premier Sharlene Robinson, who is out of country attending a UK Overseas Territories meeting. Minister Astwood said, I am the man, who knows about healthcare in the country and chided the Opposition, for as he put it, ‘lying on the Leader’ knowing she was not even there to defend herself.
The Health Minister, as asked for by the Opposition, brought his explanation of why the composition of the NHIP board was being reduced from 15 to nine members; he said it was because the members there to so called represent the employees never actually get out and make any contact with employees. He challenged those in his hearing to ask around about whether anyone from NHIP has ever been in consultation at schools, construction sites or even at the health care plan’s office to find out their thoughts in order to represent them at the meetings. The Minister was illustrating that some positions are not necessary.
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