In a bizarre turn of events, Premier Rufus Ewing has now told the media that the financial audit of the national health care plan has been completed by independent auditor KPMG Global. Last week, he promised to have the audit work begin; the previous week health minister Porsha Stubbs-Smith said the audit would not take place until five years after the plan got underway in April 2010. This audit, she indicated, was to be conducted in 2015.
Previously, Ewing said he would be going forward with a clinical audit, leaving the financial audit for later. Now with the financial audit said to be complete, he has announced he is searching for someone to conduct the clinical audit.There have been ongoing complaints that the primary and secondary care currently offered is not up to expected clinical standards and not providing the level of care in line with the costs. Ewing said that he has furnished all ministers with a copy of the financial audit. However, opposition members have indicated they have not been provided with a copy. This appears to be a violation of the House of Assembly rules, as Ewing showed that he had the audit documents at the last meeting of parliament but did not lay them on the table. Opposition leader Sharlene Cartwright Robinson also serves as chair of the Public Accounts Committee and has a vested responsibility to examine and report on the audit and its ramifications.
It is hoped the financial audit will reveal the actual cost to all taxpayers, while only those working and contributing 6% of their wages receive benefits. Ewing and Smith have both said everyone is covered but only in an emergency situation.
