ORANJESTAD, Aruba — Horacio Oduber Hospital says inadequate Aruba tourist medical insurance is creating substantial unpaid emergency-care costs and reducing resources available to the island’s health system.
Hospital cites 58% figure for U.S. patients
Hospital director Jacco Vroegop told DIARIO that 58% of U.S. patients who arrive at the emergency department and then require treatment or admission lack adequate insurance or have no insurance.
The hospital cannot refuse urgent treatment and limits care to what is medically necessary, he said. When bills cannot be collected, other revenue absorbs some costs, placing pressure on money intended for local patient care.
Visitor-funded mechanism proposed
Vroegop said a January commitment called for a fund to be established in October. He proposed an obligatory contribution of about US$2 to US$3 per visitor to finance unpaid medical costs, comparing it with Aruba’s pandemic-era visitor insurance mechanism. No final fund or entry requirement was announced.
