Zorgcowboys Cash and Drive
- DEN BOSCH, Netherlands (AP) — A three-year-old initiative designed to curb excessive profits within care companies operating in Den Bosch and surrounding municipalities appears to be struggling, according...
- Research indicates that the number of care providers exceeding the permitted profit percentage has not significantly decreased.
- Mesa Zorg, a youth care institution operating in the Den Bosch region, is one such organization facing scrutiny.
Dutch Care Profit cap Falters, Funds Misdirected, Investigation Reveals
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DEN BOSCH, Netherlands (AP) — A three-year-old initiative designed to curb excessive profits within care companies operating in Den Bosch and surrounding municipalities appears to be struggling, according to investigative findings. The profit ceiling, set at a maximum of 5% net profit, aimed to rein in what some call “Zorgcowboys” (care cowboys), but its practical impact seems limited.
care Providers Exceeding profit Margins
Research indicates that the number of care providers exceeding the permitted profit percentage has not significantly decreased. Meanwhile, concerns are mounting over the alleged misuse of care funds, with reports of expensive cars, horse purchases, and complex business structures obscuring the flow of money.
Mesa Zorg Under Scrutiny
Mesa Zorg, a youth care institution operating in the Den Bosch region, is one such organization facing scrutiny. The company,managed by siblings Twan and Sabine van Meurs,is structured as a network of private limited companies (BVs) and foundations,making it tough to track the allocation of funds. In 2022 and 2023, one of the foundations reportedly spent nearly 127,000 euros in Dieren, possibly related to director Sabine’s equestrian interests.
Additionally, a driver employed by Mesa Zorg reportedly uses a 150,000-euro Porsche Macan leased by the care institution. Substantial loans were also allegedly extended to Sabine van Meurs and her father, who is connected to the healthcare company through the foundations.
According to investigative reports, Sabine’s father alone has borrowed 400,000 euros.
Mesa Zorg Declines to Comment
Mesa Zorg declined to address specific questions raised in the investigation. In a brief statement, the organization stated that “Given the tendentious nature of the questions asked and the lack of an objective basis, we currently see no added value in answering it.”
Official Expresses Frustration
Pieter Paul Slikker, alderman for Den Bosch, expressed his frustration with the situation. “We prefer not to do business with such parties, but sometimes there is simply no option,” Slikker said. “Then we have to place a young person in crisis somewhere. And if Mesa has a place at that time, we can hardly say no.”
As 2022, Mesa Zorg has received more than one million euros in municipal care funds for the placement of 21 young people in emergency situations.
Challenges in Maintaining Profit Standard
The profit standard faces challenges in enforcement. Companies can circumvent the rules through holdings and other financial maneuvers. Furthermore, the absence of specific national laws on profit restriction limits the ability of municipalities to intervene effectively.
“It remains a cat and mouse game,” Slikker said.”We try to put pole and perk through contracts and fines, but we cannot prevent everything.”
Reports indicate that approximately one in five care companies in the region continues to exceed the 5% profit margin.Some of these companies reportedly distribute critically important dividends to owners, raising questions about whether the money is actually reinvested in healthcare.
Reinvestment in Healthcare Questioned
While the intention is for companies to reinvest excess profits in “Social Return” initiatives, such as projects for vulnerable young people, this does not always occur. In some instances, only a small portion of the profit is reinvested. For example, one healthcare provider reportedly donated 10,000 euros, while the municipality had anticipated an investment of 40,000 euros.
Slikker maintains that the profit standard is not without merit. “We were one of the first in the Netherlands and most healthcare institutions in our region are doing well,” slikker said. “In these figures you do not see wich healthcare cowboys now avoid that stricter supervision. And without supervision, the costs might have risen even more. Yet it would help if there were national rules,because otherwise the mop with the crane will remain open.”
Dutch Care Profit Cap Under Scrutiny: Your Burning Questions Answered
Here’s a breakdown of the issues surrounding profit restrictions in Dutch healthcare, based on investigative findings and expert insights. This details is drawn entirely from the provided source material.
Q: What’s the core issue addressed in this article?
A: The article focuses on the challenges of a three-year-old initiative in the Netherlands designed to limit profits within care companies.The initiative, which aimed to cap net profits at 5%, appears to be faltering, with evidence of misuse of funds and difficulty in enforcing the regulations.
Q: Where is this initiative taking place?
A: The initiative is primarily focused on den Bosch and surrounding municipalities in the netherlands.
Q: What is the profit cap, and what was its intended purpose?
A: The profit ceiling is set at a maximum of 5% net profit.The aim was to curb excessive profits within care companies and prevent what some call ”Zorgcowboys” (care cowboys).
Q: Is the profit cap working as intended?
A: No, research indicates that the number of care providers exceeding the permitted profit percentage has not substantially decreased.
Q: What are some concerning examples of alleged misuse of funds?
A: Concerns include the alleged misuse of care funds, with reports of expensive cars, horse purchases, and complex business structures obscuring the flow of money.
Q: Which specific company is under scrutiny, and why?
A: mesa Zorg, a youth care institution in the Den Bosch region, is under scrutiny. The company is structured as a network of private limited companies (BVs) and foundations, which makes it tough to track fund allocation.
Q: How has Mesa Zorg been using its funds,according to reports?
A: One of Mesa Zorg’s foundations reportedly spent nearly 127,000 euros in Dieren in 2022 and 2023,possibly related to director Sabine van Meurs’ equestrian interests.Additionally, a driver reportedly uses a 150,000-euro porsche Macan leased by the institution. considerable loans were also allegedly extended to Sabine van Meurs and her father, amounting to 400,000 euros for the father alone.
Q: Has Mesa zorg commented on these allegations?
A: Mesa Zorg declined to address specific questions raised in the examination, stating that they saw “no added value in answering it” due to the “tendentious nature of the questions asked and the lack of an objective basis.”
Q: What is the perspective of local officials on the situation?
A: Pieter Paul Slikker, alderman for Den Bosch, expressed frustration. He stated that while he prefers not to work with these parties, ther is sometimes “simply no option” for the care of young peopel in crisis. As of 2022, Mesa Zorg has received over a million euros in municipal care funds for the placement of 21 young people in emergency situations.
Q: What challenges exist in enforcing the profit standard?
A: enforcement is challenging because companies can circumvent the rules through holdings and other financial maneuvers. The absence of specific national laws on profit restriction further limits the ability of municipalities to intervene effectively.
Q: What is the situation regarding the reinvestment of profits?
A: While the intention is for companies to reinvest excess profits in “Social Return” initiatives, this does not always occur. In some instances, only a small portion of the profit is reinvested. For example,one healthcare provider reportedly donated 10,000 euros,while the municipality expected an investment of 40,000 euros.
Q: Does the alderman believe the profit standard has merit?
A: yes, Slikker maintains that the profit standard is not without merit. He notes that the region was one of the first in the Netherlands to implement such a standard and that most healthcare institutions in the region are doing well.
Q: What is the alderman’s proposed solution?
A: Slikker suggests that national rules would be beneficial. Without such rules, “the mop with the crane will remain open.” He believes this would improve oversight.