Two weeks ago, it was announced that Universal Health Services has been bought over by a private companies and after that government said that the private debt will not be paid with public funds. In fact, just last Friday, here's what the Attorney General had to say about it.
[January 18th, 2008]
Hon. Francis Fonseca, Attorney General
"We are free from all liability. The government has absolutely no exposure as it relates to that debt. We are free from all liability and the Prime Minister has kept true to his word and his commitment that no taxpayers will be spent in resolving that matter and in paying off that debt. The Belize Bank has been paid, satisfied, and that is the end, in our minds, of that matter."
Jules Vasquez,
Have they received a guarantee of a revenue stream as would come from NHI?
Hon. Francis Fonseca,
"I am aware of no such guarantee."
And we note that he said he is aware of no such guarantee. Over the years of executive stealth we've come to know "I'm not aware" really means, "you have no proof." And sure enough we didn't. And so this morning making his first appearance on Krem's WUB in two years, the Prime Minister re-iterated the official line - matter fixed, no public funds paid.
Mose Hyde: There is not a copper coming out of any corner of either Social Security or anywhere from the government's coffer?
Said Musa: Not a penny. Not a penny of Social Security money is being spent and no taxpayer money has been spent for this transfer of ownership and the government guarantee has been released.
Mose Hyde: So you're saying right here on this radio and TV that the story done?
Said Musa: Story done.
But as they say the pin neva ben' and the story neva end - at least not there...because a few minutes later Lois Young Barrow from the Association of Concerned Belizeans called in to challenge the Prime Minister's account of "not a penny" - and sparks flew.
Lois Young Barrow: Isn't it true that the government has guaranteed a revenue stream for the new buyers of a considerable amount of money every month?
Said Musa: The government as part of the solution to this problem walked out whereby when patients are sent to this facility, needy patients who can't afford to pay, especially for those serious illnesses, that yes we would facilitate because this has been our position from day one.
Lois Young Barrow: Is it that you are not going to pay on a per patient basis, that you are going to pay a set amount?
Said Musa: Listen to me Lois, you listen to me...I am not here to be answering to now ACB or to you. We are not guaranteeing. We are providing a fee for services whenever the government agrees to pay for that service.
Lois Young Barrow: But aren't you just paying a specific amount, like $300,000 a month, $3.6 million a year?
Said Musa: I think so.
Mose Hyde: Keeping up with my tradition of being bias Prime Minister, I think that this should have been just put out there. That is just my opinion.
Said Musa: Well we haven't really put out a comprehensive statement on this matter yet.
So to clarify - the position is that government's commitment is $3.6 million a year in payments to UHS' new owners. We don't know for how many years the arrangement stands but the Prime Minister committed to reveal the document so we'll wait and see.
