Health insurance in shambles

The cost of health care–ambulatory, acute or critical–varies depending the condition of a patient. Health insurance is an issue that has long been treated with a ten foot pole. Perhaps its difficulty lies in the type of coverage that the CNMI should adopt as a matter of policy.

Thus far we’re fortunate that the local hospital has a policy of treating every patient who walks in or brought to CHC on an emergency basis. Doctors provide the required services forthwith. They do so as a matter of policy. But the cost of health care delivery is perhaps the most difficult of a somewhat hidden costs in these isles. Such is the case given the attitude that it is free. It is not! It involves costs and such could mean anything from the following illustration:

A visit to the doctor at the clinic (CHC or private) where a patient is examined and given prescription medicine that cost about $30 provided you have health insurance. It could mean hospitalization where one is charged some $200 a day, discounting medicine and other medical services. Or a case that requires the attention of medical specialists in off-island medical centers–medical referral program. In any of the these services, there’s no such thing as a free lunch anymore. Insured or otherwise, you will receive your bills 30 days later.

Somehow this issue must be dealt with accordingly. The cost of health is such that many families here will be driven to bankruptcy especially on cases involving off-island medical care. At issue is: How do patients deal with such issues as exhaustion of their health insurance policies? Yes, there’s the current arrangement that the Medical Referral Program intervenes and covers cost while the patient is off-island. But they must pay-off all cost in excess of what’s covered by their health insurance policy upon their return. This is the very issue that many would find very troubling in terms of the family pocketbooks. How do we deal with it down the stretch?

Firstly, the CNMI must invest some of its hard to come-by-funds on health prevention programs. Prevention, while meaningless for politicians, is the surest way to promote a health Marianas populous. We must begin at the kindergarten up to the high school level. It involves a lengthy process, i.e., materials and content to fit every grade level. Dissemination so it gets to the targeted group. Follow up to ensure that our young children understand such things personal hygiene.

As far back as 1986, I overheard young kids talk about brushing their teeth and about dieting. I was rather tickled to death to literally see big fat kids head to the gym to work out. Some even too the personal initiative to job or do brisk walking along the walk path. At home, they are very discrete with food. I though this was really very encouraging. Perhaps they have picked up the fad on exercise programs being promoted on television. At any rate, it was a good beginning!

Now, there’s a projection that many locals would be contracting diabetes over the first quarter of this century. Here’s where all concerns must converge transcending politics to find out how to approach this issue to ensure its decline rather than an upward spiral. No longer can the NMI turn its head on a matter that would dictate health of its people in these isles. Take charge! Si Yuus Maase`yan ghilisow!

Strictly a personal view. John S. DelRosario Jr. is publisher of Saipan Tribune.