Cannonier: $1.2M Payment Is A ‘Major Concern’
[Updated] “The payment of in excess of $1.2 million of taxpayers money to the ‘good doctor’ should be a major concern to all taxpayers,” Opposition Leader Craig Cannonier said today, adding that “it is Robin Hood in reverse.”
Background
In January of this year, the Government confirmed [PDF] they “granted financial supplements to the Brown-Darrell Clinic, Bermuda Health Care Services and the Bermuda Hospitals Board in order to help ensure CT and MRI services are readily available to the public.”
Saying it was to “offset the drastic fee cuts of June 2017,” the Government said that “actual payments will be based on services provided, therefore the exact amounts for the period of operation will not be known until the end of the fiscal year.
“If the level of services remained the same as last year, Brown Darrell and Bermuda Health Care Services would receive approximately $778 thousand and BHB $1.8 million,” the Government said in January of this year.
Two of the three providers receiving payments, Brown Darrell and BHCS, are operated by Dr Ewart Brown, who previously noted ”there was court action pending,” while the Health Ministry previously confirmed “that a letter before action was received in relation to the fee levels.”
In providing updated figures this week, the Ministry of Health said, “Brown Darrell was paid $139,161 for the period June 1, 2017 – March 31, 2018. Bermuda HealthCare Services was paid $680,966 for period June 1, 2017 – March 31, 2018.
“Further payments will cover April 1, 2018 – October 31, 2018 and any outstanding [if any] claims for period June 1, 2017 – March 31, 2018. It is estimated that Bermuda HealthCare Services MRI payments for 1 April to 31 October 2018 may be approximately $420,000.
“To date the Government has settled $1.8 million with BHB to off-set against a BHB debt to the Superannuation Fund. This covers the period 1st June 2017 to 31st March 2018. Subsequent payments are still being adjudicated so the amounts are not yet known, but are projected at approximately $600,000.
“All payments are based on actual utilization so the total paid will be confirmed after the 2018 fees take effect on 1st November 2018,” the Ministry added.
In approximate terms, that is around a total of $3.6 million, with $1.2 million to Brown Darrell and BHCS, with $820,000 already having been paid and $420,000 projected, while the $2.4 million to the Bermuda Hospitals Board encompasses a $1.8 million off-set against a BHB debt to the Superannuation Fund, and subsequent payments projected at $600,000.
Craig Cannonier’s Comments
Mr. Cannonier said, “The question is, what is the priority of this PLP Government? Is it the welfare of the Bermudian people or the obesity of Dr. Ewart Brown’s pocket? The answer is in their actions. The payment of in excess of $1.2 million of taxpayers’ money to the ‘good doctor’ should be a major concern to all taxpayers. It is Robin Hood in reverse.
“With healthcare already at sky high levels – despite pledges by the PLP to bring them down – how is what amounts to subsidizing a private sector provider, going to lower those costs for Mr and Mrs Bermuda? How is this going to help those who have to make a choice between paying health care costs, rent or food.
“This Government says it cares about people, but it appears to care about certain people more than others. Perhaps this represents paying the piper? To repay someone you owe is an honourable thing if you do it with your own money, but if it is with taxpayers’ money that is another matter.
“It is one thing to raise taxes – and this Government has been good at that – in order to eliminate the Government deficit, however, this Government has increased those taxes only to lavish it on someone who claims already to be very wealthy.
“What about those seniors on fixed incomes with high healthcare expenses, Bermudians who are struggling to make ends meet and those small business about to be hit by the Sugar Tax or tax on dividends.
“The OBA government raised taxes on the wealthy and International Business while the PLP has raised taxes on Mr and Mrs Bermuda instead. What happened to all the rhetoric of ‘Two Bermudas’?”
Update 10.03pm: Premier David Burt said, “Given the Opposition Leader seems to now like the truth, he should start by telling the truth about why this vendetta was approved by him in Cabinet.
“The Opposition Leader should explain to the people of Bermuda how he sat in a Cabinet that disregarded the advice of the Bermuda Health Council and approved this economic vendetta which negatively affected the Hospital and caused this $3.6 million lliability for the taxpayers of Bermuda.
“Between these payments and what he and his colleagues left the people of Bermuda to pay for Cross Island, it makes this Government’s first quarter performance all the more impressive.”
Document released by the Government earlier this year about scan compensation [PDF here]
Hahaha! Yes! Robin Hood in reverse! Love it. Who are the merry men?
Well DREB is #1
If the OBAubp had not been so busy attempting to pull the great doctor down to the ground, than such a payout would not have to take place.
The revenge and hate from the OBAubp towards the great doctor by the Obaubpers continues on, despite the huge defeat.
Move on Doctor Brown will continue to live….STOP THE HATE OBAubpers
The lengths you go to, in order to enrich yourselves at everyone else’s expense. And then you have the gall to pretend you’re for ordinary people. You don’t give a s*1t about ordinary people. You just want access to as much taxpayer money as you can get.
Don’t worry. We can all see exactly what you’re doing.
STFU would you prefer Dr Brown take out a lawsuit against the Gov for the oba/UBP Crap they pulled on him, You believe because Craig is leader you can convince me to vote for oba again lolololol this will fail. Just as 2017 election did.
OBA set the trap and now complaining the fish bit them.
No surprise you idiots are pro brown.
Anyone who supports Dr. Brown hates Bermuda.
Doctor? why doesn’t he practice in Bermuda? Can’t pass the test? not really a doctor?
Fooled you lot, didn’t he?
LOL
Answer says:
September 29, 2018
The real Question is why so many black Bermudians have departed from the UBPoba over the years. The Question stays away from that and prefers to throw Mt Dunkely out like a sacrificial lamb claiming we are getting away from the UBP. Attacking your very own members is a dog eat dog sentence. The party is made up of 6% black voters and 94% white voters since last election,
*The party is made up of 6% black voters and 94% white voters since last election *
Isn’t that like your party which is made up of 3% white voters and 97% black voters ?
And since when was there cameras in the voting booths recording the race of voters and where they tick the boxes ?
Now he can give out more shcolarships.
“Isn’t that like your party which is made up of 3% white voters and 97% black voters?”
What they are trying to say is that the PLP don’t or wouldn’t use white voters to gain votes like how the OBAUBP has used black voters..
But blacks have always voted in both directions,,,can not say the same of white voters….thats more significant than the percentages…..Stay Woke
Just like how US minorities vote for overwhelmingly for one Party as the other is simply not an option because of their racist hostility towards them. The PLP are Bermuda’s Republicans.
Why would we?
and I’ve lived my life growing up around with what, and they even see the crap that is going on. We are real family of society. Not you. Take a break. You and your crew should wake up. We are family
Funny how the gov’t didn’t appeal the case against Dr Brown but they are willing to drop hundreds of thousands of dollars to appeal Same Sex Marriage. Now they are giving the guy $1.2m!! Things that make you go hmmmmmmmmm!!!
Its not funny, because the obaubp spent their time in government Attacking black leadership regardless of cost…..the law suit with Laley clinic was more money wasted by Oba…
Why should the government fight the great doctor, when obaubp spent the greater time doing it….and still hating on him
Get over it and leave the doctor alone…
Going after alleged fraud is now attacking ‘black leadership’. Do you actually believe the things you write?! Are you saying if it was a white doctor the PLP would have appealed?!? If it was a white doctor they wouldn’t have gave them $1.2m?!?!
How is restoring the fees and giving Dr Brown helping to reduce healthcare costs? This was a campaign promise from the PLP!!! Keep drinking de titty milk!!! Ha ha ha!!
After 300 years of free labour, refused top positions for decades and denied bank loans, I say this is a small token of Reparations(if he makes a contribution to his community).
So black taxpayers have helped pay reperations to Dr Brown. Got it, that makes sense!! Ha ha ha!! Keep drinking de titty milk!!!
I think white tax payers have a bigger problem with it.
I think you drink too much titty milk. Ha ha ha!!
Buuuuuuttttttt…….. still doesnt hit white tax payers as hard tho does it? According to your logic anyway. What kinda reparations is that? Kinda silly dont u think. Black people paying reparations to black people. Kinda trash is that? Oh wait, he looks like u so its cool. Smh.
Are we de only tax payers?
LOL
The titty milk has more health benefits than Dunkley milk….go get some…
The Revenge attack towards the Great Dr,. BROWN BY OBAubpers is still real….
This revengeful behaviour is what killed the OBAubp…..ADVICE MOVE ON…..
Really? Titty milk must not help de brain because Onion Juice thinks black taxpayers paying reparations to Ewart Brown makes sense!! LMAO!!
Go drink that powerful Titty milk
Hooefully the hate you have towsrds Dr Brown will slowly fade off…
You OBAubpers are real falling again….trying hanging on….
Dr. Brown and Bermuda Hosptial both got paid back…..and so rightfully
Stop your Revenge now
your going back 300 years. well da, its your current govt screwing you and you don’t feel it
He ain’t giving you anything get that through your head.
Got that right, as soon as he couldn’t make the profit he wanted he shut down his scanners. That should tell you something!!
We have a old leader who now wants to be new leader that alleged to have some involvement with $300,000.00 plus the private jet ride. The people never received the money and neither did the OBA. So where the money go Craig? Now he has a heart of see all and tell all. At least Micheal Dunkely never did this to Bermuda. Something is really wrong when we select a rat to control the milk farm.
The gang of eight placed him as leader not the OBA members. This whole situation is beyond low what happened to Atherden.
Another serious case of selective amnesia
Have you forgotten about the ousting of Jennifer Smith, and those responsible?
@ Not good,
This is another case of selective amnesia.
Have we forgotten the ousting of Dame Jennifer Smith,and those who orchestrated that Judas like act?
Get em Craig. At last someone to hold their feet to the fire. They are becomming [again] a freelance fleece and flee government.
Get em from a situation that the OBAubpers created..their revenge towards the Great Doctor created this situation…..denial by Craig like Jetgate…please
And we should have revenge comsidering how bad hes affected his beloved “real bermudians” dontcha think. But then again you are a paid advocate comsidering who you work for. Double standard much. FMR
Keep it going Craig.
How about rejuvenating the REAL Jetgate ? The PLP version involving a private jet ride and an advertising agency getting repeated untendered contracts ?
As much as I detest the shady shenanigans that took place with the so-called Jetgate incident, it pales in comparison to what the PLP has done here. You can try and spin it any way you want, but this is a political payback for one Dr. Ewart F. Brown at the expense of taxpayers like you and me!
After his offices were ramsacked, confidential files taken, expensive equipment broken and purposely forcing him to raise his fees, public embarrassment to his associate and the closing down of his business which is lost revenue.
OBA plotted to ruin him and he came out smelling like a rose.
PRICELESS
get a life,or better yet a few functional brain cells. You and I onion are paying for this farce wish I could be a F O F but guess i am born wrong
It really is shocking how comfortable the PLP are with diverting funds from taxpayers to their politicians
PLP Cabinet approved Friends and Family Payment plan back in full force but buses, garbage collection, our roads, schools & education system are all in a symbolic state..
Hahaha! I told you I would bring this place to it’s knees.
But , this too shall pass .. hahaha !
And I had to deceive you
I agree with Cannonier. This is Robin Hood in reverse. They are taking from the middle-class and poor and giving to the wealthy and rich! If this were an OBA government giving money to one of their former politician’s private business enterprises, the PLP and some of their die-hard supporters would be having conniptions! No matter what your political stripes are, every fair-minded Bermudian should be concerned about this.
The hypocrisy is astounding!
The Cannon has returned.
He should also return the 300k to the hotelier
And is misfiring.
And crickets from there voters! And marchers!
Yeah PLP voters will be quiet was a mouse over this. “Nope…nothing to see here”.
Sounds like de Biblical story of Esther and Haman.
Its not funny, because the obaubp spent their time in government Attacking black leadership regardless of cost…..the law suit with Laley clinic was more money wasted by Oba…
Why should the government fight the great doctor, when obaubp spent the greater time doing it….and still hating on him
Get over it and leave the doctor alone…
That bye’s making enough money….why the tax dollars suppliment?
We have charities that need this money…LCCA is just one of them.
This rubbish is pure miss appropriate expenditure.It’s wrong.
I guess you could say it smells…yes indeed…by golly…you could wipe your bottom and call that a ship.
Some of these charities are ripping of the tax payer also…
Well done Mr Cannonier expose their nonsense
While his is concealed.
LMAO
You seem to think your life will improve under this emotional rule… you wrong.
From what my ancestors endured, this is a walk in de park.
Not THIS,,,, that which is to come like how you gonna feel when you cannot travel and shop and eat at buzz how will you cope when IB leave and the tourists get tired of being accosted at immigration? You are too short sighted. Did Dreb get paid in $US or $Bda?
Blame your own oj.
The Brown Darrel clinic were set to reopen their CT scanning unit this week September 30th. ? However Government is paying them based on actual utilisation ??? Actual payments will be based on services provided???
Clearly this isn’t so and this is a PLP gift to an ex Premier.
De Forty Thieves and UBP can relate to this.
Is this guy serious?! Hard to hear Cannonier challenge someone else being in receipt of money they perhaps aren’t entitled to… only in Bermuda.
The $300,000 was a private donation from overseas donors.
The $1,200,000 was from Bermuda taxpayers. Ordinary people this government pretends it is helping.
Our taxes are going up as the PLP introduces new tariffs, and they are taking money from us ordinary people to give corporate welfare to a rich millionaire who has gone back to live overseas. He doesn’t even live here.
This government could not care less about ordinary people.
You are complaining that a Bermudian business that caters 100% to Bermudians, at the lowest cost on the island, is receiving a little funding. where were you when we gave 75 mil. to the richest people in the world so they could hold our island hostage…..while they had a little sailboat race for a few weeks. SMDH!!!
*we gave 75 mil. to the richest people in the world so they could hold our island hostage…..while they had a little sailboat race for a few weeks.*
Still repeating the old lies . SMDH
No, we spent $68m here, in Bermuda, so that the AC could be held. It was $68m, not $75m, because it was under budget. The money was not “given to rich people”, it was spent here, in Bermuda. And it created $335m of economic activity, which the PLP is unable to recreate.
Under the PLP all we’ve got is higher taxes on food, higher healthcare costs, $$$millions given in corporate welfare to rich business owners, reduced public services, and rats running alive all over the island. And the economy is shrinking by 10% over last year.
We’re in the PLP recession.
The oba/UBP did care that’s why they sacked Craig as Premier.
Give the doctor money f’what?
You are like Bambi in the forest on a pitch black night with dark shades on looking the other way…you have no eye idea!
A total of 3.6 million was paid out, funny how people are more concerned about the 1.2 million vs the other 2.4million??? I guess it’s more of who it’s being paid to rather than the fact that it’s being paid.
In view of the unprofessional execution of what became know as Jetgate, surely Craig should hold his tongue and take lessons from the Master…
I can’t believe Craig Cannonier used the therm “the obesity of Dr. Brown’s pocket”. Who wrote that for him. And he has conveniently forgotten that BHB was also reimbursed.
same old same old from the plp/ubp…paying off their friends while the people suffer. how does that 24-12 victory taste now?
And there you have it. Spending money we don’t have, to support an unsustainable private business is OK if the business is operated by a someone of a particular hue.
Doesn’t matter about the rank hypocrisy, the amount of whataboutism or the that this constitutes some sort of reparations, the PLP sycophants are unable to see that DREB is lining his pockets at the expense of the taxpayer.
The PLP are not about levelling the playing field, they are about getting even.
Look folks a Hypocrite!!! The fool denounced Craigwhen he was kicked out as leader a praised Dunkley. Now they love Craig out of pure desperation.
The oba spent more money in the 4 years in power trying to get dirt on dr brown than they selected a leader of the oba/ubp who was proven to have his own dirt by a report that they never leaked to the people of Bermuda. However to save themselves they x Craig lolol. Craig what did you do besides ‘not be transparent’ months and weeks before. Now you say your sorry and expect Bermudians to believe you. Lolol
Let’s call him Craig Trump of the oba/UBP
How transparent has the pee el pee ever been? About as see through as a lead sheet!
Tell me eet eezent so…steal from the poor and geeve to the reeech?