Retirees from both private companies and government departments are seeking medical insurance coverage for themselves and their families. Some 400 retirees, including 66 women, made this appeal Tuesday during the annual meeting of the Eastern Province Retirees Association (EPRA). “We retirees – from both the private and government sectors – are not covered by the mandatory medical insurance now being enjoyed by those who are employed,” said Bidah Al-Gahtani, president of the EPRA. An official of the General Organization for Social Insurance (GOSI) in Dammam confirmed that retirees are not covered by the mandatory medical insurance. “The GOSI and the Saudi Public Pension Agency (the body that provides pension to former government employees) do not cover the mandatory medical insurance to these ex-employees,” the GOSI official said. He said the obligation of both bodies was only to provide the monthly pension. Retirees who attended the annual meeting criticized GOSI and Saudi Public Pension Agency for not supporting their demands for medical coverage, as well as the request for the adjustment in their monthly pension. They unanimously passed a resolution seeking the intervention of the Council of Ministers. Al-Gahtani told the Saudi Gazette retirees can settle for partial medical coverage. “Be it 75% or 50%, we want to be covered. We want to enjoy the benefit of our health care, and we want to go to private hospitals that have the medical specializations we desire,” he said. Al-Gahtani said only Saudi Aramco provides medical benefits for its retired employees. __
