Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 03, 2025

Proposed Insurance for HOA members an ‘overkill’

Proposed Insurance for HOA members an ‘overkill’

Referring to some elements as ‘an overkill’, Opposition legislator Melvin ‘Mitch’ Turnbull has objected to the government’s request to implement a special comprehensive insurance plan for members of the House of Assembly (HOA).

A recently publicised tender notice from the Ministry of Finance sought proposals from any licensed Virgin Islands insurance company that offers Group Health Insurance to provide coverage for the HOA for five years with an option to renew annually.

The requested insurance coverage is entirely outside of the compulsory National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme. Among other things, the government requested coverage to include cosmetic surgery (in the event of an accident), alcoholism and substance abuse rehabilitation, surgeon fees and assistant surgeon fees, as well as dental care (above NHI Limits inclusive of cosmetic procedures).

Tenderers were encouraged to elaborate on their preferred provider network coverage to include international care in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Caribbean, South America, the United States Virgin Islands, United States of America, British Virgin Islands & Puerto Rico.

Burden to taxpayers


In a letter addressed to House Speaker Julian Willock, Turnbull insisted that he has always been against the measure in its current state and said he made it clear to the Speaker and the Procurement Unit “that before anything goes public” he would have to write a report based on his findings as an experienced professional in the insurance field.

The Second District Representative described himself as the “lead person” gathering the necessary information to assist in achieving what the members of the house of assembly requested.

“Mr Speaker, I didn’t agree with it then and I still don’t agree with it now. My request as lead-member to have my report submitted was ignored and the tender document was finalised as I understand without my involvement and subsequently made public,” Turnbull said.

He further stated that the HOA request was based specifically on the needs of past members of the legislative branch.

In reference to an informal meeting held with the entire HOA in April, Turnbull said: “I stated then that it would be an overkill and extremely costly to do all that we had originally intended to do and then lump on additional requests that were made by members during the meeting.”

He told the Speaker that implementing the insurance before a study and necessary amendments and funding to the NHI would be “counter-productive, and a tremendously unnecessary burden and cost” to the taxpayers.

Bad timing


The Second District Representative also argued that he felt the timing was not right given the current pandemic and resulting difficulties faced by families.

“Mr Speaker my recommendation was and still is that we not go forward with the proposed insurance for members because It is my belief that we would do more damage to an already strained economy than good,” Turnbull ended.

Meanwhile, talk show host Cindy Rosan-Jones and another member of the public held a motorcade this past Saturday amidst overcast conditions to protest the HOA’s latest move. The duo started their protest in Road Town with chants of “If NHI is good enough for us, it’s good enough for them”.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
China Accuses US of Violating Trade Truce
Panama Port Owner Balances US-China Pressures
France Implements Nationwide Outdoor Smoking Ban to Protect Children
German Chancellor Merz Keeps Putin Guessing on Missile Strategy
Mandelson Criticizes UK's 'Fetish' for Abandoning EU Regulations
British Fishing Boat Owner Fined €30,000 by French Authorities
Dutch government falls as far-right leader Wilders quits coalition
Harvard Urges US to Unfreeze Funds for Public Health Research
Businessman Mauled by Lion at Luxury Namibian Lodge
Researchers Consider New Destinations Beyond the U.S.
53-Year-Old Doctor Claims Biological Age of 23
Trump Struggles to Secure Trade Deals With China and Europe
Russia to Return 6,000 Corpses Under Ukraine Prisoner Swap Deal
Microsoft Lays Off Hundreds More Amid Restructuring
Harvey Weinstein’s Publicist Embraces Notoriety
Macron and Meloni Seek Unity Despite Tensions
Trump Administration Accused of Obstructing Deportation Cases
Newark Mayor Sues Over Arrest at Immigration Facility
Center-Left Candidate Projected to Win South Korean Presidency
Trump’s Tariffs Predicted to Stall Global Economic Growth
South Korea’s President-Elect Expected to Take Softer Line on Trump and North Korea
Trump’s China Strategy Remains a Geopolitical Puzzle
Ukraine Executes Long-Range Drone Strikes on Russian Airbases
Conservative Karol Nawrocki wins Poland’s presidential election
Study Identifies Potential Radicalization Risk Among Over One Million Muslims in Germany
Good news: Annalena Baerbock Elected President of the UN General Assembly
Apple Appeals EU Law Over User Data Sharing Requirements
South Africa: "First Black Bank" Collapses after Being Looted by Owners
Poland will now withdraw from the EU migration pact after pro-Trump nationalist wins Election
"That's Disgusting, Don’t Say It Again": The Trump Joke That Made the President Boil
Trump Cancels NASA Nominee Over Democratic Donations
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OnlyFans for Sale: From Lockdown Lifeline to Eight-Billion-Dollar Empire
Mayor’s Security Officer Implicated | Shocking New Details Emerge in NYC Kidnapping Case
Hegseth Warns of Potential Chinese Military Action Against Taiwan
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Jamie Dimon Warns U.S. Bond Market Faces Pressure from Rising Debt
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Taylor Swift Gains Ownership of Her First Six Albums
Bangkok Ranked World's Top City for Remote Work in 2025
Satirical Sketch Sparks Political Spouse Feud in South Korea
Indonesia Quarry Collapse Leaves Multiple Dead and Missing
South Korean Election Video Pulled Amid Misogyny Outcry
Asian Economies Shift Away from US Dollar Amid Trade Tensions
Netflix Investigates Allegations of On-Set Mistreatment in K-Drama Production
US Defence Chief Reaffirms Strong Ties with Singapore Amid Regional Tensions
Vietnam Faces Strategic Dilemma Over China's Mekong River Projects
Malaysia's First AI Preacher Sparks Debate on Islamic Principles
White House Press Secretary Criticizes Harvard Funding, Advocates for Vocational Training
France to Implement Nationwide Smoking Ban in Outdoor Spaces Frequented by Children
×