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PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands; Wednesday, December 10, 2008 - The Steering Committee for the National Health Insurance Plan (NHIP) is seeking comment from the public on proposals for a comprehensive package of world-class health services for the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The health care services proposed under the NHIP which were revealed at a media briefing last week, include primary care, outpatient services, outpatient specialty care, day surgery and hospital care, diagnostic services, maternity care, ambulance services and outpatient drugs for chronic conditions.
Most services will be available through the Inter-Health Canada managed facilities on Grand Turk and Providenciales, as well as upgraded clinics on the outer Islands, greatly reducing the need for treatment abroad.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Delton Jones has explained that the Government is planning to contribute about 44 % of the cost of the NHIP as a subsidy to ensure that the employers and employees would only have to make a modest contribution. The proposal is therefore to have a 5 % contribution, shared equally between the employer and employee that will give all citizens and legal residents of the Turks and Caicos Islands access to the full package of services for themselves and their families.
The Plan will be mandatory to create a large enough pool to cover all citizens and legal residents. Contributors will also be allowed to retain private insurance along with NHIP, if so desired. Unlike private insurance, under NHIP there will be no exclusions or waiting periods for pre-existing conditions and no deductibles. There will be a small co-pay for services estimated at around $10 for most services.
Mr. Jones, described the National Health Insurance Plan as historic- "it is social health insurance built on the principles of equity and access to improve the quality of health care for all persons in the Turks and Caicos Islands."
He noted that enrollment in the new Plan is scheduled to begin in June 2009, but payment of contributions will not start until September 2009. Mr Jones explained that the start of contributions had been delayed from the original date of April 2009 in view of the post-hurricane recovery effort and the current economic conditions.
The NHIP will be a separate statutory body like the National Insurance Board (NIB), and all funds will be "ring fenced" so they are separate from other government revenues and used exclusively for health care. The Government will pay for coverage for the indigent, prisoners and the unemployed who are legal residents.
Health care advisor on the project Lady Neelam Feachem of the Healthcare Redesign Group, described the NHIP proposals as "unique in the region" and "cutting edge". She noted that the contribution rates proposed were much lower than other countries such as Aruba, which had a 9.5% rate and Germany's rate which is at 14%.
The Steering Committee has produced a booklet which gives full details of the proposals and would encourage everyone to pick up a copy of the booklet from the National Insurance Board offices throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands. These booklets will be available from December 17, 2008.
Meetings to discuss the proposals were held last week with key stakeholder groups such as the membership of the Chamber of Commerce and the Hotel Association, private insurers, doctors and health care workers.
There will be sessions with employees and town hall meetings throughout the islands in January to facilitate public discussion of the proposals. A website will also be launched shortly which will provide information on the NHIP and opportunity for comments.
The public is also invited to send comments and queries on the proposals to Ms. Desiree James, Project Director for the National Health Insurance Plan on Tel: 649-231-1808 or via Email: desireekjames28@yahoo.com
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