The Tribune

THE National Health Insurance (NHI) Secretariat has continued stakeholder meetings, media appearances and consultations with the public to ensure input is provided on the draft NHI Bill, which was released on February 18.

The Secretariat consulted on the legislation with the Bahamas Association of Physiotherapists earlier in the week.

A meeting to discuss NHI was also held with the Grand Bahama Port Authority, the Bahamas Insurance Brokers Association, the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers’ Confederation, as well as a group of physicians on February 28.

Dr Kevin Bowe, deputy director at NIB for NHI & Special Projects, also travelled to George Town, Exuma for a town hall meeting to speak with local residents and answer questions on NHI. Many questions were raised by those already covered by an insurance policy on the role of private insurance moving forward.

“For those civil servants the government already provides insurance for, you as a police officer for example, or you working as a teacher or a nurse, the main thing is that you do not lose any benefits you already have,” said Dr Bowe.

The NHI Secretariat already held several town hall meetings in Grand Bahama and New Providence to educate persons on NHI prior to the draft bill release.

Next week, the Secretariat will be in San Salvador and in Eleuthera. On the schedule are meetings with local island administrators and public consultations over several days.

Once feedback on the bill is received, stakeholders will be able to provide additional input into the regulation preparation process.

The draft bill, as well as a complete listing of dates and times for public meetings, is available online on www.nhibahamas.gov.bs.

Upcoming town halls will be held in San Salvador at the Idell Jones Community Centre on February 29 at 7pm; in Eleuthera at the Rock Sound Primary School at 7pm on February 29; at the Governor’s Harbour Primary School in Eleuthera on March 1 at 7pm; the Samuel Guy Pinder All-Age School in Spanish Wells at 6pm on March 2 and at the St John’s Parish Hall in Dunmore Town, Harbour Island at 7pm on March 2.