That the amended 2023 budget sent to Parliament has a surplus of one million Netherlands Antillean guilders is in principle good news. Moreover, positive results of NAf. 2 million for 2024 as well as 2025 and NAf. 6 million for 2026 are expected.
The total amount increased by NAf. 23 million, largely due to changes in justice sector function books and loan refinancing terms. Hikes in cost for personnel of NAf. 5.7 million and materials of NAf. 16 million were mentioned.
Tax and other income was up by respectively NAf. 11 million and NAf. 9.6 million from the initial forecast. Fiscal revenues could actually have been NAf. 21 million higher, but the intended “tourist” tax that was to produce NAf. 10 million this year has not yet been introduced.
The latter shows that budgeting future reforms can be tricky business. This is something to consider going forward, as several measures in the so-called country package are still to be taken.
The same goes for the Sustainable Affordable Access to Healthcare Act (SAAHA), which will apparently be delayed until January 1, 2025. Some say it’s for the best, as a six-fold increase in the wage limit for current Social and Health Insurances SZV coverage was implemented just 16 months ago.
According to the 2022 population census, 11.3% of St. Maarten lacks health insurance, down from 12.3% in 2011 and 29.5% a decade earlier. About 84.6% of persons living on the Dutch side now report some form of coverage.
SZV (formerly SVB) accounts for 71.6% compared to 64.9% in 2011 and 45.1% a decade earlier, while those with private insurance declined from 14.6% 10 years ago to 6.9%.
Too many are thus still not included, which ultimately leads to deficits in medical funds because denying anybody essential treatment they need would be downright inhuman. It has been suggested that perhaps the existing system could be adjusted in the meantime to add others and make it at least a bit more universal.
