Minister of Health, Omayra Leeflang confirms her visit to Sint Maarten for the second part of October 2009.
Minster Leeflang remains committed to visit Sint Maarten to explain the workings of her proposal to provide medical coverage for pensioners through SVB.
The Minister had responded positively to a request by the Chapter of Professional Young Persons to explain this matter to the population of Sint Maarten. This request was made after Chapter members learned that the medical coverage for seniors was being applied on Curacao, while such is not the case (yet) on Sint Maarten. It is also important for persons to know to how this medical coverage will be paid for and what contributions seniors will have to make.
Health insurance remains an important issue for Sint Maarten, as it estimated that 1/3 of the population of Sint Maarten has no medical insurance. Of these, it can be expected that many are over the age of 60.
This proposal of Minster Leeflang has not yet been legislated, but the Parliament of the Netherlands Antilles has approved its execution, nonetheless.
The media has reported that the Minster will be providing information on this same matter on October 1st on Curacao and it is CPYP’s hope that Sint Maarten will follow promptly.
Marinka Gumbs
CPYP President