Series: Part 1: The Two Visions • Part 2: How You Pay & What You Get • Part 3: Access, Choice & Wait Times • Part 4: Side-by-Side + Voter Checklist

About this series: "Your Health, Your Vote" is a four-part explainer designed to help Saint Lucians clearly understand what’s on the table in this election when it comes to healthcare. We strip away the political noise and compare the United Workers Party (UWP) and the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) health proposals side-by-side — their costs, benefits, and challenges — so that you can make an informed, confident decision at the ballot box. Because in the end, the vote that matters most is the one that protects your family’s health.

Your Health, Your Vote (Part 1): UWP Enhanced NHI vs SLP Universal Health Care

Estimated read: 4 minutes

Election season is here — and nothing matters more than our health. Two different ideas are on the table:

UWP’s Plan: An Enhanced National Health Insurance (NHI)

How it works: You (and employers) pay a monthly premium into a national insurance fund. In return, you can use your NHI card at public facilities and participating private clinics, labs, and specialists.

• Key features: Public–private network, premiums fund the pool, more choice of providers.
• Upsides: Choose your doctor; potentially shorter waits by using private capacity; uses existing infrastructure; dedicated funding stream.
• Trade-offs: Monthly premiums; coverage depends on plan design; administrative complexity; risk of two-tier outcomes if public care stays underfunded.

SLP’s Plan: Universal Health Care (UHC)

How it works: Government funds core healthcare for everyone, mainly through taxation. Care in public facilities is free at the point of service — no bills at checkout.

• Key features: Free use within public system; tax-funded; focus on equity.
• Upsides: No financial barrier to care; simple to use; encourages prevention; strengthens the public system for all.
• Trade-offs: Needs strong, stable tax revenues; demand spikes can lengthen waits; less choice of private providers; big implementation lift.

Why this series?

We’ll keep it clear and balanced so you can decide what fits your life. Next up: how each plan affects your pocket and what you actually get for it.

Disclaimer: This series draws on the parties’ publicly described proposals. Specifics can change — please review official manifestos for the latest details.