The Tribune

By Natario McKenzie

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

THE Government yesterday announced it was moving towards the “full implementation” of a National Health Insurance scheme, proposing to create a so-called ‘steering committee’ to oversee the move.

Speaking on the issue in Parliament yesterday, Dr Perry Gomez, minister of health, said the National Health Insurance Act 2006 was partially implemented in 2010, under the former Ingraham administration.

He added that this had taken the form of the National Prescription Drug Plan, which reaches less than 50 per cent of the affected population. “Health receives a substantial component of the national budget,” Dr Gomez said. “However, it is not enough to meet all the health care needs for many of the neediest in our communities.

“In addition, the competing needs for government funds for development does not permit increases in health’s allocation. A National Health Insurance Scheme will provide equitable access to quality health care for residents of the Bahamas. National Health Insurance will create a fund that will be used exclusively for health insurance.”

The Government’s move to revive a National Health Insurance scheme is likely, though, to send a collective chill down the spines of the private sector/business community.

They have long argued that funding a National Health Insurance scheme would ultimately raise further the already-high costs of doing business to unsustainable levels, making them and the overall economy uncompetitive.

They are also likely to view the proposed scheme as ill-timed, coming as the latest major change to be imposed on the private sector following the proposed Value-Added Tax (VAT), trade agreement-related legislation, and the work permit controversy.

Dr Gomez said yesterday that a National Health Insurance system would allow for more money to be allocated to health, resulting in greater health care resources and a strengthened health care system.

“In The Bahamas, the majority ofour populations do not have health insurance,” he said. “Many cannot afford to pay user fees to private providers. Private commercial insurance is too expensive.

“In addition, private insurance often does not include pre-existing conditions and may not cover the life span. These factors result in undue delays in seeking care, and may contribute to late presentation with advanced stage disease and, really, death and escalating health care costs.

“National Health Insurance will remove the need for money at the point of insurance. The greatest advantage of National Health Insurance is equitable access to quality health care services for our people. There will be legislated social assistance, and contributions will be paid out by the state for those who cannot afford to pay from their own income.”

Dr Gomez added: “The social health insurance is envisioned as a not-for-profit health system. Under the National Health Insurance system, residents will have access to the public and private health care system in the Bahamas.

“Health insurance benefits would be provided in both public and private facilities, and accreditation criteria would be established for all participating health care facilities and health care providers. The National Health Insurance System would determine the criteria for allocation of contribution revenues.”

Dr Gomez proposed the establishment of a 12 member steering committee to oversee the full implementation of the National Insurance Act 2006. That steering committee,he said, will be supported by three sub-committees.

National Health Insurance was first developed as a policy priority under the first Christie administration. A 15-member Blue Ribbon Commission was appointed to review the feasibility of a National Health Insurance Plan. The National Health Insurance Act 2006 was tabled in Parliament by the Christie government on November 2006.