Blue Cross in the health care system of Jamaica

Briefly reviews the historical development of the Blue Cross from it initial philosophy of service to one indemnity and experience rating. Comments on the pilot programme operated in St. Catherine, aimed at merging the specialised knowledge and services of hospitals and clinics with private medical practitioners and the nursing homes. States that the objective of Blue Cross is to provide all segments of the population with a voluntary non profit mechanism for obtaining an adequate level of health service effectively and economically. Discusses the new trust of presenting a health care system based on geographical grouping to encourage subscribers to go to participating doctors in specified areas based on working together in groups. Comments on policy proposals with respect to maintenance of positive health delivery system, cost and quality and financing of health care system. Concluded that if reasonable quality and cost health care is to be made available as a right, the social, medical and operational services must be brought into play. Blue Cross with governments help will assist (AU)

Medical care insurance: the approach in developing a health insurance plan in the Caribbean - Part 11

For the effective financing of private and government medical services in the Caribbean, the basic needs are a prepayment scheme with a comprehensive health service for all persons, adequately trained personnel, satisfactory hospital, health centre, clinic and office facilities. In order to determine the magnitude of the financial problem involved it will be necessary to carry out income, welfare and hospital utilization surveys. The service to be provided would include general practioner and specialized care in office, home or hospital with laboratory and X-ray diagnostic services, hospital costs in ward or semi-private beds, half the cost of medicines, preventive medical care, nursing maternity and rehabilitation service. There would be a free choice of physician but group practice in clinics would be encouraged. The administrative control would be shared equally by the users and providers of the service and the scheme would be organized by a voluntary non-profit organization approved by the Government. Large industrial, agricultural and commercial organizations would be expected to co-operate by paying half of the health insurance contributions of their employees. To provide an incentive to subscribe for those already receiving free medical care from Government clinics and hospitals, cash benefits for accidents and sickness, old age pensions and death benefits would be introduced. (AU)