Former Health Minister under a previously governing National Democratic Party (NDP) government Ronnie Skelton has defended the National Health Insurance (NHI) programme, calling it a vital service that needs reform, not replacement.
In a recent interview, Skelton said the NHI was created to give every legal resident access to affordable healthcare.
“It looks good. It’s good for people,” he explained, adding that the system was never meant to function independently without proper government support.
Skelton led the introduction of the NHI in 2016 under the then National Democratic Party (NDP) administration. However, the scheme has faced increasing criticism in recent years due to funding shortfalls, rising medical costs, and delayed payments to healthcare providers.
He said many problems stem from the government not fulfilling its role.
“You couldn’t fix the healthcare problem if the government didn’t play its part,” Skelton argued. “The public health service did not develop to give people all the services that are required.”
The former minister noted that while many categories of people are exempt from paying full NHI contributions—such as senior citizens, schoolchildren, and essential workers—those costs still exist. “There is a basic cost to keep the organisation running… and all those things are not being paid for through the system,” he stated.
Skelton added that the programme was designed to expand over time and make healthcare more accessible, not static. “Once you have gotten healthcare to a level, people won’t mind paying. And I think that’s where we are falling down.”
His comments follow Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley’s repeated calls for NHI reforms, citing its unsustainable costs. Skelton said reform is overdue but insisted the foundation of the programme is sound.
“You have to make it the best it can be. And the way to do it is to get people who are using it to pay for it,” he said.
Skelton also noted the importance of social services and the strain on people struggling to meet basic needs. “It’s going to get worse,” he warned. “Retirees… can’t afford to pay [insurance].”
Skelton said leaders must prioritise services that protect people’s lives and well-being. “We need people… who are really interested in building a country,” he asserted.
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