Commission appointed to reform Social Security

Reacting to widespread complaints concerning the operation of the Social Security Board, government has appointed a commission to propose reforms for the twenty-year old institution. The eleven-member panel, to be chaired by Anglican Father Leroy Flowers, will look at ways to increase the transparency and accountability of the Social Security system. His fellow commissioners will be chosen from the ranks of the business community, civil society, organised labour, accounting profession and the Opposition. Their task will not be an easy one as the SSB has seemingly lurched from one public relations debacle to another, including the withdrawal of the Harry Courtenay case, the on-again-off-again introduction of the National Health Insurance scheme and the recent radical increase in Social Security taxes. The commission will also be asked to recommend the best ways to educate the public on NHI and other programmes.