Santo Domingo.- The government allocated RD$500.0 million to the National Health Insurance (SENASA), approved in the supplementary budget to confront deficits in the subsidized plan especially for retirees.

National Social Security Council (CNSS) president and Labor minister Francisco Dominguez made the announcement Tuesday and noted that the social responsibility SENASA develops is critical for president Leonel Fernandez.

He said Senasa differs from other Health Risk Insurers (ARS), because its subsidy provides a social function for the neediest population.

"SENASA has more than one million people in its subsidized health plan. The other ARS don’t have that. Senasa has to play that role and the government funds have to find the money to financially sustain Senasa because Senasa has the poorest masses," the official said.