Is it true, as reported by workers at the BVI Electricity Corporation, that they have heard that government is to pay the contributions for government employees in perilous occupations (a wide definition), and that they, the BVIEC workers, are not covered as workers for a parastatal?
If so, this seems to fly in the face of sense. Isn’t the idea that all residents, wherever they work, are expected to contribute towards the cost of their health care, which the government will then provide (subject to some co-pays)? By paying for its own workers, government is losing some of the income that would make the scheme viable. Surely they should operate the scheme in the same way that private employers must: That is, deducting 3.75 percent from salary, and paying that, with an equal contribution, into the scheme. I would imagine they do not want to continue providing private health insurance for all employees. Surely, if they want to assist workers in dangerous occupations they should take out employers’ liability insurance? Of course, around the world, governments usually cover all their liability to pay out compensation themselves. But again, I am not sure our government finances could stretch to that.
Retiree
Consider a retired male resident who is over 65 and earns no salary and no VI pension. Presumably he can register and will receive free coverage? But, if he is expected to contribute, how would his 3.75 percent (if it is only 3.75 percent) be calculated, how would it be collected, and who would it be payable to? The brochure says that the NHI will be funded, among other classes, by “pensioners with other sources of income.” That could be open to wide interpretation.
Consider further that he has a wife, not yet 65, who has never been employed and so has no salary and no pension. Can she register and receive free coverage? If not, why not? The rules apparently say that working spouses have to pay a similar contribution to their own for their non-working wives. I presume in that case the employer will deduct twice the employee’s contribution, but will they put in twice their contribution to cover the spouse?
Clock is ticking
There are now less than two months before implementation, when we can all queue up for treatment. However, we are told that the legislation has not been drafted yet, and no reinsurance is arranged. It is looking more likely that an inevitable delay will occur, as happened over the hospital, the road repairs and the pier village, to name a few. Considering the unanswered questions, which do not seem to either have been thought of or communicated to the public, I think a delay would be for the benefit of all concerned. I wish I could be more positive.
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