NewsWhore
05-07-2009, 07:00 PM
The Minister of Education says that he attributes the deficit affecting the state schoolteachers' health insurance fund (Semma) to an "operational imbalance", and denied that the deficit exceeds RD$100 million as claimed by a preliminary study presented on Tuesday by two consultants hired by the Special Commission assessing the situation. According to Melanio Paredes, the deficit registered at Semma during the month of March reached RD$72 million and he explained that this was primarily due to the fact they only received income from the Health Services Plan (PDSS) for 148,365 affiliates out of a total of 241,000 covered by the program. He went on to explain that 61,710 pensioners are affiliated to the plan and these people only pay a minimum quota of RD$100 pesos. This will be taken over by the state, according to a decree issued last 28 April, a measure that will bring RD$57.6 million into the Semma coffers each month. He assured reporters that this money would improve the situation.
Paredes also said that in the face of possible operational weaknesses, Semma's Board of Directors would designate a multi-disciplinary team to implement procedures aimed at changing procedures at the teachers' HMO. Regarding the audit, Paredes reported that the details of its contents would be heard during a meeting next Monday.
The audit will review Semma's operations from 2005 until 2009. Even though he claimed that "no fraud exists" in its operations, the minister said that in case the audit finds any irregularity, those responsible would be prosecuted.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#7)
Paredes also said that in the face of possible operational weaknesses, Semma's Board of Directors would designate a multi-disciplinary team to implement procedures aimed at changing procedures at the teachers' HMO. Regarding the audit, Paredes reported that the details of its contents would be heard during a meeting next Monday.
The audit will review Semma's operations from 2005 until 2009. Even though he claimed that "no fraud exists" in its operations, the minister said that in case the audit finds any irregularity, those responsible would be prosecuted.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#7)