Hoy newspaper economic section report says that if the 18 modifications sought by the Dominican Medical Association (AMD) are incorporated into the social security bill, the cost of the services will be so high it will be non-viable from the start. The newspaper cites informed sources saying that the project as approved by congressmen, employers, employees and government was already burdensome, but the modifications make it practically impossible to implement. Former president of the National Council of Businessmen, Celso Marranzini said, "And really, the sectors that topple gates, that go on strikes and insult, those have defeated the sectors that pay and that want a decent social security system." "It is a shame that after so many years of negotiations one has succumbed to pressure, to blackmail and constant strike threats on behalf of the AMD that have changed completely the bill," he said. He explained the modifications create two health systems, one public and another private. The first will be handled by the AMD, the second by the private sector, but the AMD will set the prices and work conditions. As originally proposed, people of all income brackets would have been able to choose the better service providers, which would force all sectors to compete, with an overall benefit for the consumer. Antonio Espin, president of the Herrera Industrial Association said that businesses and labor would have to discuss the modifications negotiated by the AMD and the government. He said that if Congress passes them without the consent of these two sectors, then employers should just not participate in the plan. El Caribe newspaper points out that one of the major losers will be public employees. At present, most government institutions offer their employees private sector health plans, despite their members being affiliated to the governmental social security institute. The newspaper says that as per the modifications, all public sector employees will be tied to the public sector health social security plans. Meanwhile, the president of the Chamber of Deputies said that she does not envision the modified bill being approved by her house until March.
