Insurance companies concerned about N.H.I.
And while those in the audience who asked questions this morning did seem, for the most part, to “go along” with the general concept of a national insurance scheme, representatives of the trade unions and public service expressed the desire for more information and a guarantee that the Belizean worker would not be excessively taxed to pay for the NHI. Others commented on the need for a change in the attitudes of some health care providers as well as improvements to the infrastructure of the nation’s hospitals and clinics. One participant said while Belizeans really do not receive better medical care when they go to Chetumal, the doctors and nurses abroad often display a more considerate approach with patients. Members of the insurance industry as well as private citizens asked how the new system will affect individual and corporate insurance plans. The Prime Minister says the two systems will have to complement each other.
Said Musa
“What I see happening is that, the two systems will have to blend with each other. National Health Insurance will offer the basics if you like, primary health care, secondary care and limited tertiary care. But there are many serious, chronic, catastrophic diseases that you can’t expected the National Health Insurance to cover because it will be too costly and the people will not be able to afford it. This is where private insurance will have a major role to play and I’m sure they will see that as the way they can supplement the system. What’s gonna happen is, their will be a period of adjustment that will have to be made, between those that have full coverage through private insurance and their are certain firms that offer this and indeed some public corporations, that offer this to their workers, like WASA for instance. What will have to happen, is there will have to be a blending to the two to ensure you do not lose anything. And I think it can be worked out with the private insurance people.”
The health sector reform project, of which the NHI is a component, will cost an estimated 29.2 million dollars. Funding is being sought form the Inter-American Development Bank, the Caribbean Development Bank, the European Union and other sources. The Government of Belize will also assist in the endeavor.
