By JADE RUSSELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

jrussell@tribunemedia.net

RETIRED officers of the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) are expressing alarm over a steep increase in their health insurance premiums, warning that many could soon be left without coverage, a concern that prompted National Security Minister Wayne Munroe to say yesterday that insurers “don’t really care about us — they care about the dollar.”

The officers, who are participants in Colina’s group insurance scheme, were reportedly notified verbally on April 14 that their premiums would increase by nearly $300, with the change taking effect from May 1 in some cases.

In a letter obtained by The Tribune, one retired officer described the increase as “unconscionable” and indicative of a disregard for the well-being of longstanding clients.

According to the letter, the new premium structure would consume more than half of the officers’ monthly pension payments, rendering continued insurance coverage financially unfeasible for many.

The Tribune has confirmed that some retirees have received correspondence from Colina confirming the premium increase.

Minister of National Security Wayne Munroe said yesterday he had not seen a letter sent to his ministry by retired officers.

He acknowledged that retired officers are allowed to continue their medical insurance coverage after leaving the force but must do so at their own expense. He noted that aging people typically pose higher risk profiles for insurers.

“That is why, from the Christie administration to this administration, we continue to look at expanding NHI which would be to provide for persons,” he said. “The private insurers, they don’t really care about us, they care about the dollar, and so when they assess the risk, the risk of somebody older having health issues is greater than the risk of somebody younger having health issues.”