Skelton stands by NHI Program, calls for urgent reforms
Former Health Minister under a previously governing National Democratic Party (NDP) government Ronnie Skelton has defended the National Health Insurance (NHI) programme, calling it a vital service that needs reform, not replacement.
In a recent interview, Skelton said the NHI was created to give every legal resident access to affordable healthcare.
“It looks good. It’s good for people,” he explained, adding that the system was never meant to function independently without proper government support.
Skelton led the introduction of the NHI in 2016 under the then National Democratic Party (NDP) administration. However, the scheme has faced increasing criticism in recent years due to funding shortfalls, rising medical costs, and delayed payments to healthcare providers.
He said many problems stem from the government not fulfilling its role.
“You couldn’t fix the healthcare problem if the government didn’t play its part,” Skelton argued. “The public health service did not develop to give people all the services that are required.”
The former minister noted that while many categories of people are exempt from paying full NHI contributions—such as senior citizens, schoolchildren, and essential workers—those costs still exist. “There is a basic cost to keep the organisation running… and all those things are not being paid for through the system,” he stated.
Skelton added that the programme was designed to expand over time and make healthcare more accessible, not static. “Once you have gotten healthcare to a level, people won’t mind paying. And I think that’s where we are falling down.”
His comments follow Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley’s repeated calls for NHI reforms, citing its unsustainable costs. Skelton said reform is overdue but insisted the foundation of the programme is sound.
“You have to make it the best it can be. And the way to do it is to get people who are using it to pay for it,” he said.
Skelton also noted the importance of social services and the strain on people struggling to meet basic needs. “It’s going to get worse,” he warned. “Retirees… can’t afford to pay [insurance].”
Skelton said leaders must prioritise services that protect people’s lives and well-being. “We need people… who are really interested in building a country,” he asserted.
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Skelton said leaders must prioritise services that protect people’s lives and well-being. “We need people… who are really interested in building a country,” he asserted.
No we need leaders who are strong and principled enough to stop the few private healthcare providers who have raised charges without any control, making millions from NHI. Just set reasonable caps for any type of service as the private insurers do and don’t allow the private healthcare providers to set the cap for you!
@Nearly there :You’ve hit the nail on the head. The real issue—the elephant in the room—is being sidestepped, either out of fear or a lack of principle. If you refuse to speak truth to power, then you’re either protecting your own interests or simply unwilling to stand on conviction. At the very least, the Premier, whether you agree with him or not, has had the courage to be clear about his intentions. And that, my friends, is the first and most crucial step in addressing this crisis. No wonder Hon. Skelton has been an ineffective Opposition leader—if you’re afraid to confront the tough issues, then step aside and make way for those who will.
People were complaining about issues with NHI when you Skelton was still minister of health and you did nothing. Now you’re calling for urgent change? Gimme a break.
Mr. Skelton you introduced a SCHEME indeed and a SCAM it is. NHI was created and manipulated by Mr. * to enrich his business and for the private medical providers to become millionaires overnight. It worked flawlessly as every doctor ion the island rushed to open private practices and set ridiculous costs for their services. NHI was created yes help some but mostly for SCHEMING.
AMEN!!!!! MR. Purlple Building, and his family cleaning up this island with their ill-gotten gains of this scheme! You think this cat didn’t get some of that cheese? If not, think again!
Look how many players that were in politics, now have filthy rich family, and control everything. Concrete, food/provisions, medical, hospitality, construction. I weep for our Country!
Why isnt there more out cry ? Why are people so easily blaming the Health Minister if the Know full well theissue. So anyone that is doing NOTHING about it deserves what they get. If you can so easily be focused on a scape goat then Shame on you. And while you at it they have thier puppet in the BVIHSA to ensure that nothing changes and we so dumb we cant even see through THAT!!!!
Do you understand what a CONSPIRACY is? Involves multiple individuals.
It could be worse it could be all controlled by the Edomites.
It’s better to get robbed schemed bamboozled and tricked by your own people. It could be more sinister.
I just think this man need to go home. What can anyone say he has done for the last two years? Ronnie is just holding on hoping to get his desire to be Premier fulfilled. That’s all it is. He complained about Ralph being old and that he should go home. Now he is Ralph.
NHI is a good system but it’s being abused. Once the necessary adjustments are made it will continue to be a good system. We only hear of the negatives, but we don’t hear the stories of how many lives have been saved locally and overseas because of the support of NHI. Many other Caribbean islands have been trying to get their own version of NHI and still cannot get it. The BVI does not appreciate anything, everything has to be about politics. Fix the system and stop the stupid noise.
“Wha gwon bad ah morning cyant come good ah evening”
It made a few doctors in the BVI instant millionaires
It’s so funny to see many of the late night fried chicken eaters and rum drinkers killing politicians for NHI. If we would stop consuming poison, we won’t be here giving away all our money annually to private institutions then complaining about it. If we had a healthy community then only older persons who naturally would have issues as they age, would be utilizing the facilities in a major way. Look within, stop casting blame. Get healthy and NHI/Private Health Facilities won’t be that much of an issue. Don’t take my word for it.
NHI IS COSTING THE BVI CLOSE TO 80 MILLION USD
(EIGHTY MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS)
USD 80,000,000 PER YEAR.
THIS MONEY HAS GONE TO ALL THE PRIVATE CLINICS.
THEY HAVE ALL BEEN BUYING UP REAL ESTATE IN THE BVI AS THEY DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH THEIR MONEY…..
IT WILL BANKRUPT THE BVI!
Its far past time to cut Purple Man off from the NHI teat.
take a good look at the Players so far. Who do you think is most likely to assist with fixing the Problems with NHI? VIP? While according to Zan all the Premier do is talk and look who is in his Corner. The Alliance? Think again. When the NHI was implemented Ronnie was a part of the Government But was outnumbered. Do you remember the Players back then? The only person to even attempt fixing the NHI Scheme is the same Ronnie Skelton whom you all have all sort of Names to call him. Say what you want, come 2027, We Voting any group that the same Ronnie Skelton aligns himself with. ALL THE WAY……WHO VEX, VEX….Eat your Hearts out!!!
You must be getting some of that good anesthesia they have at the p place that making you sleep so good to dream such a unrealistic dream. And after r@ping NHI they probably got the best
All you ever do is complain complain and most people are only complaining because they are not on the gravy train. Hundreds of persons got COVID grants for fishing/farming while never doing neither and had jobs. How many complained about getting 5k-10k for doing nothing? The fake outrage is getting boring now.
And after the grants they were handing out bags of food and some of them still got two bags and on here blogging piss. Hon. Skelton, go on. Do your thing. More for you than on here blogging piss.
That’s right; let them go on blogging. Hon. Skelton you don’t have to be loud to be an effective leader. Keep your composure. Remember they use to say Ralph use to sleep. We know you’ll be a compassionate knowledgeable leader. We are not sleeping.
Skelton has destroyed the healthcare system in the BVI for locals..He want BVIslanders to beg for health services. Such does not happen in any other country.. The system seem to be friend based regardless of status. It started well when it worked like other insurances. Now it is a mess. Get sick outside the country, you have no insurance. He knows it is not working.
Myron became opposition leader and all of a sudden he wake up LOL. What a joker! All the time the country burning down and not a word from him. He lost opposition leader and now he talking. Ronnie the best thing for you and the country is go home. You will get sent home for good this time.
well said straight to the point.
I warned many times that govt should have capped the private sector. They put their fees up THREEHUNDRED PERCENT overnight, and have never been reined back.
Skelleton go sit down hahahaha
NHI had problems from the time it was implemented but Ronnie was too stubborn ti fix them. Those of you who praising Ronnie you don’t remember when he starve the whole country when he was finance minister. Ayo head hard mehson.
If ENTITLEMENT was a person it would be Ronnie Skelton.