Linton questions lack of policy paper on NHI Pilot Program

Linton is wondering why no policy paper on the scheme is available

Opposition Leader, Lennox Linton, is wondering why there are no policy papers on the newly-introduced National Health Insurance (NHI) Pilot Program.

The pilot, designed to assist single mothers, 35 and under, and their children up to age three, was launched by the government on Monday, April 1.

Linton said any assistance that can be made available to help “in these depressed economic circumstances,” is welcomed. However, he said there are many questions which cannot be answered because of a lack of policy papers on a parliamentary level on the matter.

“This matter is foreign to the parliament of Dominica because we know nothing about it. We know absolutely nothing about it in the Parliament of Dominica,” he stated on Q95 on Tuesday morning.

He said such a scheme has been spoken about by the United Workers Party (UWP) for a number of years and he is wondering why after 17 years in power, the Dominica Labour Party is introducing just a pilot program.

“There are number of questions that has to be raised in terms of on how we do things and how we seek to do things for the benefit of all because it may well be that, and you will not be surprised at this that there are married mothers who are in worst circumstances than some single mothers and yet you have a program, introduced 17 years after the Labour Party gets into office, that focuses on single mothers and their children of up to three years,” he stated.

Linton stated that questions must be asked on how that group was selected.

“And having selected that group, are there are other people in the same category who need the assistance equally or probably even more,” he noted.

However, he said, such questions cannot be answered.

“So again, I don’t know what is going down with the program because as the Leader of the Opposition, as a member of the parliament we have not seen a paper, we have not seen a policy paper that indicates what exactly is going down with this program,” Linton said. “So effectively we don’t know.”

He noted that parliament has passed legislation for things less important and although the program is a pilot one, he wondered what is the way forward.

“So what is the forward plan, what is it the time frame of the pilot, when will the pilot lead to the bigger thing and the more more inclusive scheme for the nation?” he questioned. “So these are questions we need answers for and it is very difficult, commenting on something as important as this for which there is no policy document available for discussion, for stakeholder input…”

Linton said he is wondering when the government will seek to do things in an organized, structured manner which takes on board the interest of the public as opposed to “certain strategies that they are pursuing for the individual benefit of the Labour Party as opposed to the benefit of the nation as a whole.”

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49 Comments

  1. Dave Bertrand
    April 7, 2017

    Lennox it’s good to see them fall in line. Continue to take the lead. Skerrit and his bunch of useless parliamentarians lack the foresight to move Dominica forward. They are bankrupt of ideas.

  2. As I read all of those 39 comments here, I discovered that the majority has a negative response towards Linton’s grievances about that (Pilot program); and that is all he has coming from his mind as an Opposition Leader of Government.

    The highest thumbs rating comment here, which is 19-6 is against Linton’s complaint; but he continues to say that he is doing what he is doing for the people; for the public. Who is that public or people that Linton is referring to, because it is not the people of Dominica.–good Lord!

  3. Rasta for a while
    April 5, 2017

    Lennox have problems with everything even with himself ?

  4. Frank Talker
    April 5, 2017

    The NHI Pilot programme is simply looking at the Red Clinic from another angle. It targets vulnerable women who would gladly vote DLP, if their children are helped in time of need. We do not know whether it is a Ministry of Health initiative administered by DSS or if it is a DSS programme. What happens when the $M5 runs out? Where have you ever heard of an insurance programme dishing out money yet no beneficiaries contributed to its income? Is the DSS going to levy an administration fee on the NHI? There is no legislation creating the NHI; it is clearly a vote-catching strategy by Roskit.

  5. UDOHREADYET
    April 5, 2017

    Mr L.. your opinion doesn’t matter in this instance because the people investing money and taking the initiative are the one ‘s who should be commended for doing so.

    this guy isn’t doing anything constructive he is just against anything and everything positive and progressive in the country… its like progress during his eyes!

  6. Ibo France
    April 5, 2017

    Good governance dictates one of inclusion not one of exclusion. Two heads are better than one. No one individual nor no one party has a monopoly on ideas or intelligence. The more inclusive a government is, the better it functions. This pilot health plan seems like a half baked cookie. A well structured comprehensive health care plan is needed for everyone who can ill-afford this necessity. Both Government and Opposition should put their collective intelligence together and devise the best health care plan for the country. Doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals should be also included so we get a wide cross section of the populace. Governments should be people oriented not oligarchic. Party politics should never supersede the country’s well being. The manner of operation by this government gives the clear impression that they have a slavish adherence to a Divide and Rule form of governance.

    • UDOHREADYET
      April 5, 2017

      its a pilot program!
      what is there to criticize?
      allu just like to put allu self in the middle of what people are doing, to give allu self credit for running all mouth!

    • Rara
      April 5, 2017

      well said! shakes your big toe.. its just really saddening that the two parties will never see eye to eye on anything.. not even the betterment of this country…

  7. Reah
    April 5, 2017

    LENNOX is really Leader of the Opposition. all he does is oppose. let the country move my boy.

    • Jonathan Y St Jean
      April 5, 2017

      Linton has a right to oppose this quick vote buying scheme by the communist Skerritt.It’s tax payers money and a good steward of the people’s money has to question this unsustainable handing out of money which is what Skerritt has done here.Had there been a policy paper as Linton is saying,then there would have been more thought about the sustainability and better working for the program

  8. Fan
    April 5, 2017

    You should have attended the meeting to which you were invited and raised all those questions. Stupes man!!!

  9. Da4real
    April 5, 2017

    All you’ve ever done is criticize.. Not one time you can support anything that the government does? Are you so ignorant that you don’t see the good in anything? Your job as opposition isn’t just to oppose…its also to create balance in the country and that you have failed on every front. Imagin you were the PM and the opposition was critical of all your achievements, what wud your reaction be? You need to do one of two things , step down as leader or reevaluate your choices and actions. Its high time you stop with your shenanigans. It’s getting you no where with the general public.. You have yet to increase your base so how do you expect to win an election?. Your not appealing to anyone outside if your camp and that’s what wud inch you closer to a victory. What are your plans for the country ? How can you make life better there..? That’s what you need to present to the public. Not your constant protest and bashing.

  10. Just Passing Through
    April 5, 2017

    Was the Opposition Leader there when the Government was launching the Pilot Program? I heard at least one speaker recognizing him but I heard others say, this Health Plan was not important enough for him to be there.

    Which is the correct statement? Was he or wasn’t he there? And if he was not there, what should we take away from that and his statement? The idea that his name was on the program tells me he was expected to there.

    Can DNO tell us why the Leader of the Opposition chose not to go to the function? And If he was there, did he asked any questions at that forum? Or as usual after the fact has plenty to say. He should at least tell us what is a pilot program?

  11. Likeme ornot
    April 5, 2017

    Lennox don’t you think that this would be better addressed in the house of parliament? For you, everything must be contentious so you take it tot he airwaves. You always think that you have a better solution or proposal but infact there is nothing constructive coming from you except for criticism without any basis. Take my advice, CURB YOUR MOUTH!

    • The Thinker
      April 5, 2017

      And When did PARLIAMENT last meet?

  12. Eagle-Eyed
    April 5, 2017

    Lennox, It says clearly in the article that it is just a pilot. The main reason it is a pilot is for the Government to make an assessment on whether it will work. If the pilot show that it will not work then the Government can ditch it and try something else. You asking the Government to make a policy on something that hav’nt been tried and tested. Any other novice can comprehend this except you.

    • Joe
      April 5, 2017

      Eagle-eye, that’s exactly my point!!!!!!!!

  13. hm
    April 5, 2017

    Sttttuuuuppppes…here we go again

  14. Clergy Man
    April 5, 2017

    It’s either this gov’t does nothing right (politics) or these guys are hungry to be running things,,, then do nothing right.

  15. Me
    April 5, 2017

    Why would you need a policy paper when you have a P.M. who rules by the seat of his pants and sees parliamentary sessions as irritating distractions?

  16. EnfantDiable
    April 5, 2017

    His strategic impotence may cause his imminent political leadership demise!

  17. Looking
    April 5, 2017

    When will you start to be an oposition leader and start bringing Solutions and proposals Forward. You say the UWP has looked at this already. Tell the government what you think would be a good Pilot period, what you think the short comings are and who else should be included and so on. Change your way of doing things stop asking questions and start making proposals so you can be included.
    You ask questions and when you get the answers you not satisfied. Contibute and then we can see that you are contributing and not just asking question.

    Be a constructive oposition leader.

    • The Thinker
      April 5, 2017

      You can only be a constructive opposition in a functioning democracy.Dominica is not such a place under this PM.

  18. Shaking my head
    April 4, 2017

    So Mr. Linton, because your title is “opposition leader” you must oppose everything, no matter how good it may be? come on, be a man and when it is good, say it is good.

    • Cee Bee Eye
      April 5, 2017

      Boy we good in Dominica to we. Go and look for the first item published on that matter. See where the cost of that crap was not even fully identified.

      Lennox ugly but at least he thinking. Stop beating up on the man

  19. April 4, 2017

    These are serious and valid concerns. Why didn’t Mr. Linton raise these concerns before the program was launched? We continue to play political games with important matters.

  20. KID ON THE BLOCK
    April 4, 2017

    Linton, You comment makes no sense. You just want noticing. “As the leader of the opposition and a member of parliament You refer to yourself as WE.. So who is the dictator?

    • `Me
      April 5, 2017

      Skerrit hardly consults or asks his own cabinet so why do you expect him to to confer at all with the opposition? Who is the dictator indeed?

      • My 2 Cents
        April 5, 2017

        Go take a class instead of making a fool of yourself with all your stupid senseless comments

      • Ras
        April 5, 2017

        Me, I must assume that you are a member of Skerrit’s cabinet to state with such authority that Skerrit hardly consults with his cabinet colleagues

  21. Same old same old
    April 4, 2017

    The answer is clear and simple. There is no white paper on the national security program because it is a fake, bogus, and deceptive announcement that is aimed at changing the true conversation the world is having about PM Skerrit’s involvement with like NG Lap Seng, Ms. Allison Madueke, Christopher Corallo, Alireza Monfared and others, who were all arrested within a year, with Monfared hiding in Dominica for six months, with the knowledge and alleged assistance of the government. So Skerrit knowing he is in deep trouble tries to play the good man game by rushing to give the press something to talk about that will make him look good. This thing is fake! A national security program that only deals with women under 35, with children 3 years and younger? These women were 16 years when he and his DLP got in power and only now he wants to take care of them? Is this his way of paying for hurts​ cuzed when they were 16, just as the dasheen man was?

  22. Fake News
    April 4, 2017

    Unfortunately the press got so busy masking Skerrit’s propoganda that from last week Friday they have Mr. Linton responding to Skerrit’s fake news instead of Mr Linton and UWP talking about a very successful meeting they had in the capital on Thursday night. The questions Matt had Linton to answer are questions he and the press should have put at the pm. But they ask him no questions and yet Matt played Skerrit’s propaganda speech about his “under 35 women’s competition” and DNO put it out. So pm can say what he wants, lie as much as he wants, hide the truth as much as he wants, knowing the press cannot question him but instead, they will press Linton to answer questions Skerrit should answer. After Linton gives truthful answers he is made to be seen as the bad man that is against women. It’s unfair to Mr. Linton and going forward he needs to tell Matt and the press to ask Skerrit those questions they asking him. Good honest observation Mr. Linton let the press do their job…

    • `Anonymous
      April 6, 2017

      Matt is a coward. He is even scared to pick up the phone to call Skerrit, who treats him like a little boy.

  23. LifeandDeath
    April 4, 2017

    Another example to show that Dominica is run by the whims and fancies of “one man”. What’s worse is that so called “smart” people follow everything without question or reason, as if hypnotized or under trance..
    Something must be fundamentally wrong when you have real PhDs and MDs revering an honorary Doctorate..

    Skerrit is not an intelligent man. He is simply cunning, which will lead to the further demise of Dominica.

  24. %
    April 4, 2017

    This was a HURRIED thing introduced by Skerrit (the “I” “I” I” MAN),,,as he was on a sympathy tour around the island after the nabbing of MONFARED,his very good friend, by the Iranian authorities..Delete repeated word even his government ministers, apologists and sycophants can answer the pertinent questions that Domninicans want answered about the programme….I fully agree with many that this was done in an ad hoc manner and the “I” “I” “I” man thing, seem to be something where Skerrit is telling the world that it is his programme and not that of the people…WHERE THE WICKED RULE THE PEOPLE MOURN..
    SKERRIT MUST GO!!!
    SKERRIT MUST GO!!!!
    SKERRIT MUST GO NOW!!!!!

  25. Not Sot
    April 4, 2017

    DNO, your site has become a propaganda outlet for the UWP. Mr. Skeritte is the DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED leader of the Nation of Dominica. Given anytime a positive article appears it is being counter act by negative comments and innuendo from YOUR party leader. Is his idea of criticism relavlant! There is no substance in being cynical. Be a news worthy organizations, dwell on integrity and professionalism.

    ADMIN: Our job is to give both side of the story: the government’s and the opposition. The reader then makes the determination who is right and who is wrong. We cannot just report one side only.

    • %
      April 5, 2017

      IF you consider it an outlet for UWP, why come on here to spray your filth….?????So you write crap first and think after?????
      SKERRIT MUST GO!!!!
      SKERRIT MUST GO!!!!
      SKERRIT MUST GO NOW!!!!
      THE “I” “I” “I” MAN MUST GO NOW!!!!

  26. John Simeon
    April 4, 2017

    Can this gentleman be taken seriously? Is he now saying that eh will consider such a program run by PM Skerrit, the very same Prime Minister he wants to leave office immediately. What would have been his contribution to the formulation off such a policy? He wants the government to go by all means. According to him, PM Skerrit has no moral calling to lead Dominica. So why do you want to have documents from an illegal PM. When he spoke on the budget estimates nine or so months ago, did he bring those views forward? Did he ever mention about the NHI scheme in his rebuttal to the budget? Did he ask for parliamentary oversight in the development of the project? Lennox must use his time wisely. Go focus on the four law suites (Libel, slander and defamation) that are in his name pending a hefty cash settlement.

    • The Thinker
      April 5, 2017

      This scheme was never placed before Parliament.Neither have all the HANDOUTS been discussed.

  27. Doc. Love
    April 4, 2017

    When will Mr. Linton come to the realization that Dominica is a one show. All the money in the treasury are controlled by one man. All the government institutions including the parliament are controlled by one man. Two things he cannot control are the bad reports given in terms of Dominica and the diplomatic passports given to crooks, bandits, rogues and vacabons. Oh, I forgot one more, he cannot control Hon. Lennox Linton.

  28. shay
    April 4, 2017

    I am not political but FOR ONCE, JUST ONCE can you Mr. Linton pick up something positive??!!! The government has introduced a program that is needed by alot of people and I am sure they will be happy to receive it. Linton is starting to get under my nerve with that “political” vibe for every single thing. Put aside color of party for once!

  29. The Eel
    April 4, 2017

    Now look it! When Parliament open, workers came ,eat the food and left and next they take to the street. Read about it on news online or take to the street. The Boss is the boss, and you cannot kick against the prick.

  30. CBI PP
    April 4, 2017

    :mrgreen: :) :-D 8-O :-| :cry: 8) :oops: :mrgreen: :!: :evil:

  31. DC
    April 4, 2017

    Linton chill! Your Party is attempting to create unrest in this Country by keeping rallies, chanting “Skerrit must go”, yet you want consultation. The majority of the people want the PM at the helm, remain in the backseat, since you do not know how to handle the rough road. The PM has done a remarkable job and for that we say, Viva PM Skerrit!

  32. CBI PP
    April 4, 2017

    LAUNCHED 1ST APRIL, ALL FOOLS DAY AWA WII

  33. Ras
    April 4, 2017

    Linton, why didn’t your party provide relief for seniors and minors by way of waiver of hospital fees? Instead, you al introduced user fees for all and sundry!!
    I never heard you or any of your colleagues at any of your meetings make any proposals re a national health insurance scheme! And when the PM announced government ‘s intention to implement the pilot scheme and made provisions for it in the 2016-17 bubget did you or any of your colleagues give your support in Parliament?
    Lennox you guys are a waste of time . Now look who’s underwriting the scheme? … Our new Citizens through our CBI

    • The Thinker
      April 5, 2017

      This scheme was never placed before Parliament.

  34. April 4, 2017

    Lol, boy trust you to come with your “UWP thought of it first” crap wi :lol: :lol:

  35. April 4, 2017

    why can’t you put your head in an ants hole and let the country role forward please.

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