The walkout by business sector representatives on the board of directors of the Dominican Institute of Social Security (IDSS) has deepened the crisis and could threaten its very existence. Business representatives walked out because they refused to accept the government proposal that business increase the wages of contributors to the IDSS fund. IDSS director Doctor Nelly Perez Duverge told Hoy reporters that employers need to think about their workers when they are dealing with the issue of the IDSS. The Dominican Institute for Social Security was founded in 1947, and has always been dependent on government subsidies. Its services are highly questioned by the private sector who point out that millions more were paid into the IDSS than were ever received in terms of medical assistance or pensions. Ever since the rise of Dominican HMOs (Health Management Organizations), the IDSS has seen a massive drop in cash flows, because the business community chooses to use private health care providers over the government sponsored one. Apparently, Doctor Perez Duverge proposed that the business community approve raising the minimum wage for exclusion from the IDSS services from RD$4,004 to RD$8,83This would mean that many more people would have to pay monthly fees to the IDSS system. Recent wage increases have sharply curtailed the number of workers eligible for IDSS coverage under the current agreements. While a board of directors’ meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, the business sector met at the CONEP offices and decided not to participate unless the issue of the base exclusion salary was taken off the table. A source at the IDSS told Hoy reporters: “It is common knowledge that the business community is seeking the complete abolition of the IDSS.” The decision to raise the exclusion limit rests with the IDSS board of directors, where the business sector, the government and union leaders.