The Tribune

By FAY SIMMONS

Tribune Business Reporter

jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

A Cabinet minister yesterday said he had “no idea” whether assertions that the Government owes $100m to the carrier providing medical insurance to security forces personnel is correct amid claims that qualified dependents are being denied coverage.

Wayne Munroe, minister of national security, said he has not received any similar complaints from the associations representing Royal Bahamas Defence Force or Department of Corrections officers after the Police Staff Association alleged that the denial of coverage to qualified spouses and children - as well as the unpaid health premiums allegedly owed to Colina Insurance Company - represented “profound disrespect” towards those placing their lives in danger on a regular basis.

Ricardo Walkes, the Police Staff Association’s chairman, in a January 7 letter to members raised concerns about officers with dependent coverage for spouses and children - particularly those on the medical insurance plan before 2023 - being denied coverage.

“It has recently come to the attention of the Police Staff Association that, over the past year, many officers entitled to dependent coverage, specifically those who were on the plan prior to the Government's decision to restrict coverage for those joining after 2023, are being denied coverage for their dependents. This includes spouses and newborn children who were previously accepted into the insurance plan,” said Mr Walkes.

“Regrettably, despite having the names of dependents accepted, several family members have recently required medical services and have been denied coverage due to this ongoing issue. This denial not only creates unnecessary stress for our officers but also raises significant concerns about the respect and care that our members deserve.”

Mr Walkes said that, during a recent meeting with Colina representatives, he had been shown warnings issued by the BISX-listed life and health insurer to the Government about the potential consequences if the unpaid premium balance was not paid or substantially reduced, but the debt has allegedly continued to grow.

“In a recent meeting with representatives from Colina Insurance Company, I learned that the Government of The Bahamas owes the insurance provider approximately $100m. This overwhelming debt is not just a financial statistic; it represents a profound disrespect for police officers who selflessly put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities. The lack of response and attention to this matter by those in power is both disappointing and unsettling,” said Mr Walkes.

“During the meeting, I was presented with documents indicating that warnings had previously been issued to the Government informing them of the potential ramifications of this situation. Despite these warnings, they have allowed this astronomical bill to continue to inflate, leading to the distressing circumstances we are currently facing.

“Additionally, I have written on more than three occasions to the Prime Minister, requesting an audience to discuss this and other pressing issues. Unfortunately, I have yet to receive a response, which only adds to our frustration as we seek resolution.”

Mr Walkes subsequently said Colina officials told him the insurer had told the Government it wanted a $30m payment on the sums owed before dependents would receive coverage.

“What they're saying is that they're expecting a payment of at least $30m before they would enroll those persons into the plan,” he said. “I would just like to them to pay Colina what is owed to them.

“What the persons at Colina said to me is that they offered the Government more of a payment plan to bring this bill down and keep it down. However, they haven't heard anything back from the Government, either.”

Mr Walkes added that the Association was aware of at least 10 officers whose children were denied coverage, and at least three officers whose spouses were unable to access medical services.

Speaking to Tribune Business, Mr Munroe denied knowledge of the Government’s outstanding debt to Colina, stating that he had “no idea” what the balance is. 

“What I do know is that the Defence Force and Corrections are covered by the same policy. They did not report anything about not being able to get service,” he added.

Mr Munroe said both the Department of Corrections Staff Association and the Defence Force association meet with him regularly to raise concerns. However, the Police Staff Association has chosen not to meet directly with the ministry. 

He explained that both the Defence Force and Department of Corrections have asked the ministry to reverse the policy on dependent coverage for new members joining after 2023 but, as far as he is aware, the Colina policy has not received any reports of service denials from these groups.

“When they first came in, they met with me. I think once or twice. The Correctional Staff Association meets with me regularly, and if they ever have an issue, they ask for a special meeting and they get it. I meet with the ranks of the Defence Force at least once a year to entertain all of their concerns,” said Mr Munroe.

“The same thing is open to the Police Staff Association if they wanted to meet with us over the issue, they could have. Clearly, they don't want to meet with us. They want to put this out in the public, and that's what they have done.” He said the issues raised have been forwarded to the Ministry of National Security’s permanent secretary to have it investigated. 

Shanendon Cartwright, the Free National Movement (FNM) deputy leader, said the allegations of $100m in unpaid premiums are “shocking, but sadly not surprising”. 

Mr Cartwright criticised the Government for failing to meet what he called its most basic obligations, adding: “There is no excuse for what has been revealed. Police officers who are legally entitled to dependent health insurance are now being denied coverage for their spouses and children.

“This is not a clerical issue. According to the Police Staff Association, it is the direct result of the Government owing approximately $100m in unpaid health insurance premiums.

“While this government boasts about record revenues and so-called surpluses, it has failed to meet one of its most basic obligations. It has failed to take care of the police officers who put their lives on the line every single day to keep Bahamians safe,“ he added.

“This is a government that finds money for private jets and lavish travel, including spending more than $1m on a single overseas trip. This is a government that has handed out more than $400m in no-bid contracts to political friends and insiders. Yet when it comes time to pay health insurance premiums for police officers, or to protect the well-being of their families, suddenly there is delay and blatant disregard.”