THE EDITOR, Sir:
I AM fully supportive of the massive drive to modernise all sectors of our society through the application of information technology. Your article 'Health Professionals Against Electronic System' caught my attention and raised two major problems confronting the widespread acceptance of this new technology especially within the social services.
1. Who should stand the cost?
2. What method of implementation is best utilised?
The health professionals stated their concern about the initial cost of $100,000 plus an ongoing service charge of 1.75 per cent. Their patients, Blue Cross of Jamaica's policyholders, seem set to foot this bill eventually.
There is a latent fear surrounding the introduction of computers at the workplace, even among our most educated citizens such as the health professionals. This factor must always be considered and might best be dealt with in the current negotiation. A draconian solution will certainly be disruptive to the operation of the many small health-providing businesses.
Mr. Victor Anderson, Blue Cross vice president for information systems, is quoted as saying "We cannot wait until the negotiations are finished. We have a business to run. Suppose they drag their feet indefinitely? We can't sit down and wait on them."
An acceptance ratio of 50:1,100 is insignificant and does not support these rash assertions.
Mr. Anderson and company should be reminded that information technology is incompatible with monopolistic corporate policies since it enhances global competition, as recently demonstrated in the cellular phone market.
I would hope that Blue Cross of Jamaica is more balanced in the way in which they manage the health insurance portfolio of thousands of workers to whom negotiation is a way of life.
I am, etc.,
A.D.D. MORGAN
President,
Mining and Quarrying
Association of Jamaica
E-mail: morgan@kasnet.com
