Get their ducks in a rowDecember 9, 2011Dear Sir,I note from reports (if correct) that payments on Future Care bills have been “screwed up” and in another paper that contractors are having to wait months for their bills to be paid. I understand, and I may be incorrect, that GEHI will not make any payments until the full bill marked “Paid” is presented. We have a situation where legislation is likely to be introduced for up front payments to be abolished. When Government cannot pay its bills on time, it is incumbent upon them to get their ducks in a row and sort out the existing problems before creating more. There are two levels of Future Care, which, if one is assuming that the idea of such legislation is to create parity, is broken before it starts. What will be the cost to me if I want to get Future Care next year? It appears that it will eat up the major part of my pension.It would be a relatively simple matter to issue every insured person with a swipe card so that when they get service, the Health Provider would know whether the person is insured and what level of insurance they may have. Not everyone has equal insurance (this is a contract between the insurer and the insured and not the Health Provider). Some have basic healthcare, some have dental coverage, some have vision care and some have gynaecology benefits, so how is the Healthcare Provider to know unless the insured has a swipe card, similar to the debit or credit card? I gather the idea is that people who cannot afford to obtain care and consequently let their health deteriorate would benefit from such a scheme, but there was a scheme in place called the “Indigent Clinic” where care was provided, but that was closed down. Why bring in more legislation when “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”?ANTONY SIESECity of Hamilton