The Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Santo Domingo, Monsignor Jesus Castro Marte, was openly critical of services offered by local HMOs calling the benefits received by the HMOs scandalous. He told reporters: “There are groups of businessmen who are living off of the patients, because the profits that the HMOs are due to the exploitation of the Dominican people. I believe that the benefits should be for everyone and that they should improve services that are offered at health centers, since there is not much coverage.” He made the remarks after participating in a seminar organized by the Catholic University of Santo Domingo on social security. He urged the government continue to strengthen its own medical insurance company, Senasa, that offers better coverage, according to the bishop.
Likewise, the bishop also rejected the intentions of those people who were seeking amendments to Social Security Law 87-01. He said that the amendments are sought to benefit businesses connected to health services and not the patients. Among the proposed changes is one that would increase the retirement age to 65.
Also speaking at the event, auxiliary bishop of Santo Domingo, Father Cruz, said that the proposals made during the three-day Congress will be delivered to a joint commission of the National Congress so that legislators better understand how the people feel. It is an ongoing reality that many patients complain of the services offered by the local ARS (HMOs) as well as the difficulties faced by contributors to have studies or operations approved. Many people have found themselves with little or no coverage for health problems, such as a broken arm, after religiously paying for the service over the years.
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El Nacional
Hoy
10 September 2018
