Opposition questions NHIP Patients’ Dissatisfaction; says there is Enough Money

Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

#TurksandCaicos, August 14, 2023 – The Opposition is asking serious questions regarding the National Health Insurance Plan following reported complaints from residents.

In a press release on Friday, Edwin Astwood, Opposition Leader, called on the PNP Government to immediately address reports of eviction and starvation from residents.

“I have been receiving many calls on the issue of persons who have been sent off on Treatment Abroad not receiving their subsistence pay, and many are facing additional hardship because of it. I am also being informed that there is a cash flow issue in NHIP and that the program has no money in the Bank. Patients have also indicated that there are many outstanding payments, which include previous subsistence payments,” he claimed.

Astwood says that’s not the only issue, noting that residents have been subject to humiliating displays because of these cash problems.

“Persons have also been informing my office of instances where our patients and their accompanying relatives were put out of hotels onto the streets for not having, and waiting on, the money to cover the time they were required to be in the countries of treatment. Other patients are saying that they had to continue calling different persons at home, pleading for money to be sent to avoid eviction and starvation,” He revealed.

Astwood, who held the Health portfolio in the former administration, broke down the cash that he says is being pumped into the NHIP which all islanders must contribute to by law.

“With the passage of the 2023/24 Budget in May of this year, NHIP received $35,699,371 in subventions from the Turks and Caicos Government. Their projected revenue from private contributions was $36,929,429, contributions from the Government at $5,690,592, and when adding in all other fees, the total Income for NHIP was estimated at $79,507,006.

NHIP has to pay $34,515,537 of the above amount to InterHealth Canada for Clinical Services,” he continued.

“Overseas Treatment Medical expense is stated at $16,290, 470 for the year. Overseas Medical Travel is stated at $4,179,402 for the year, and air ambulance (Medivac) is stated at $1,000,000.

Overseas Subsistence is stated at $994,571 for the year, which is $137,217 LESS than the actual spent last year. From the numbers presented, there is no seeable reason why our unwell people should not be getting their money on time.”

In a recent heading of the Public Accounts Committee, NHIP representatives admitted that the TAP Program is a spot of confusion.

Christy Ferguson, Change Manager for Finance on the NHIB executive board said:

“With regard to the TAP program and— responsibility for the cost incurred, and being recognized on the NHIBs books, I too am of the opinion that clarity needs to be sought because on one end we have the NHIB managing and recognizing the cost on the books and, on one end we have legislation and other policy documents that are not necessarily consistent in their flow.”

Astwood also had strict words for the Finance and Health Ministers.

“The Hon. Ministers of Finance and Health must realize that Time always reveals all, and it gives me no pleasure to be right on this issue of health care because our people are dying at an alarming rate, and many from preventative disorders and curable ailments. Additionally, they are suffering consequences arising from not receiving their subsistence in a timely manner. “

He called on the government to explain the reports and maintained that ‘healthcare delayed is healthcare denied.”