Horacio Oduber Hospital is preparing an Aruba hospital court case seeking clarity over more than Afl. 29 million in unpaid medically necessary care for undocumented patients, according to 24ora.
Hospital seeks ruling on payment responsibility
Hospital director Jacco Vroegop said HOH plans to bring summary proceedings against the Country of Aruba after years of talks failed to establish a structural payment system. The legal step is intended to determine who bears financial responsibility for the care.
HOH said it will continue treating undocumented patients when care is medically necessary and cannot be postponed. The hospital has previously proposed a government fund to reimburse providers for those costs.
Unpaid total has passed Afl. 29 million
According to the report, the outstanding amount has risen beyond Afl. 29 million. Annual costs were approximately Afl. 1.4 million in 2017, reached Afl. 5.1 million last year and added more than Afl. 3 million through August 2026.
Vroegop said the hospital currently covers part of the expense using revenue intended for regular care. HOH argues that this may serve as a temporary emergency measure but cannot become a permanent financing model.
Source: 24ora.
