General health insurance plan
for St. Maarten being discussed
PHILIPSBURG--The Executive Council is exploring the possibilities of having a general health insurance plan to cover residents of St. Maarten after St. Maarten’s attainment of its new constitutional status.
Health Commissioner Maria Buncamper-Molanus said the Executive Council had taken a decision in principle to explore the “feasibility” of implementing a general health insurance plan for Country St. Maarten.
Bestuur and Management Consultants of the Netherlands and Hassink and Roos of St. Maarten had been commissioned to carry out research on St. Maarten’s capacity to independently provide healthcare that is “qualitative, cost-effective and affordable,” for all residents.
From this research, she said, several scenarios were reviewed and proposed as viable solutions for implementation.
“One of these solutions is a general healthcare insurance plan. Momentarily, preparations are being made by Sector Health Care Affairs (SHCA) to start the consultation process with stakeholders within the community, whereby the contents of this plan will be extensively deliberated on.”
These talks will convene during the week of September 24, she said.
