HOH takes Government to court over AWG 29 million in unpaid care

ORANJESTAD — Horacio Oduber Hospital (HOH) is preparing summary proceedings against the Country of Aruba to compel the Government to assume responsibility for financing medical care provided to undocumented persons. Noticiacla has confirmed that the case will be filed later this week. According to HOH director Jacco Vroegop, there are currently more than AWG 29 million in outstanding invoices for care provided by the hospital, for which no structural payment system exists.

This concerns people who live in Aruba but are not covered by UO AZV and who, in many cases, do not have the financial means to pay for their own treatment. Nevertheless, the hospital cannot deny them urgent medical care.

“We cannot tell someone suffering from a brain haemorrhage, heart attack or serious injury to come back once their documents or financial situation have been sorted out. A woman who needs to give birth cannot wait for permission. Nor can someone who is at risk of bleeding to death,” Vroegop stated.

According to the director, this is not only a medical responsibility but also a matter of humanity. HOH’s vision is to provide accessible care to everyone without compromising quality.

COSTS ARE BEING BORNE BY HEALTHCARE FOR ARUBA’S POPULATION

Vroegop emphasised, however, that medical care is not free. For years, HOH has been covering these costs through cross-financing, using, among other things, revenue generated from care provided to tourists and funds received by the hospital through AZV.

This means that every florin spent on care without a source of funding is a florin that cannot be invested in staff, medical equipment, capacity or reducing patient waiting times. “Ultimately, we are taking money away from healthcare for Aruba’s population to pay for a responsibility for which the Government has still not arranged structural financing,” Vroegop said.

The problem has grown considerably. According to figures presented by the HOH director, the annual amount was approximately AWG 1.4 million in 2017. Last year, the costs rose to AWG 5.1 million, while they had already exceeded AWG 3 million by August of this year.

THE TOTAL ACCUMULATED AMOUNT OF OUTSTANDING INVOICES HAS EXCEEDED AWG 29 MILLION

Vroegop said that both he and his predecessors have repeatedly sent letters, warnings and reminders to the Government. According to him, the Government is aware of the problem but has failed to implement a lasting solution. “The reminders end here; action begins.”

The director also linked the matter to international obligations concerning access to medical care for migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, regardless of their residency status.

According to Vroegop, it is inconsistent to recognise that people have a right to necessary medical care without determining who will pay for that care.

“I am not the first HOH director to raise this problem. But I am the one who is now saying that we cannot continue like this for several more years,” he stated.

According to Vroegop, the situation threatens not only the hospital’s financial stability but also the well-being of its employees and the quality of patient care in Aruba.

Noticiacla has confirmed that HOH is preparing urgent legal proceedings against the Country of Aruba and that the case is scheduled to be filed later this week. Vroegop clarified that the hospital is not seeking conflict and has no intention of discontinuing the treatment of undocumented persons.

“We will continue providing care. That is our responsibility. But the Government must now finally assume its responsibility.”

Death threat following interview

Vroegop also said that he received both supportive and critical reactions following an interview with TeleAruba. According to him, criticism is acceptable, but personal accusations and even a death threat crossed every line.

He rejected the suggestion that the problem could be solved simply by replacing the hospital’s management or specifically appointing an Aruban to his position.

“Another director will not make the AWG 29 million disappear. The patients will not disappear either, and neither will the Government’s responsibility,” he said.

At the time of publication, the Government of Aruba had not issued an official response to the announcement of the case. Noticiacla remains open to publishing the Government’s response.