The Tribune

By NICO SCAVELLA

Tribune Staff Reporter

nscavella@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMAS Insurance Association Chairman Emmanuel Komolafe yesterday suggested that the group is willing to “compromise” on its stance regarding the administration of National Health Insurance, adding that the insurers are not an “enemy”.

Mr Komolafe, speaking with reporters yesterday, said while the BIA’s stance on NHI’s administration has been made “quite clear” to the NHI Secretariat, the association is willing to “see what it is that we can do” with regards to softening its stance and resuming discussions with officials.

Mr Komolafe conceded that there has been “minimal movement” in terms of the government’s discussions with the BIA over NHI’s administration. He said the last meeting was facilitated by the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (BCCEC) in December.

“…I think it’s quite clear to the NHI Secretariat as to our position,” Mr Komolafe said yesterday. “But we also know in business of this nature there has to be some compromise on both sides. And we’re willing to do that. We’re willing to talk about it, see what it is that we can do. Because let’s face it, we all support universal healthcare.

“The BIA has been very clear on that; our position has not changed. It’s a progressive social initiative put on by the government. The government has to be commended for it.”

“But the challenge I think is it becomes difficult to actually continue with the constructive discussion and continue getting everyone around the table, because of the timeline as well. But I think if we all work together, if we could get some movement in terms of the feedback we can actually do something that is very phenomenal for the country.”

He added: “That’s what the BIA is about. I hear a lot about this fighting and fighting with the government. This is not a fight; there’s no fighting generally. The reality is we may disagree on certain aspects of the plan and all that, but that doesn’t make us fighters or enemies or adversaries of the programme. It’s just everyone contributing: the professionals from the various industries contributing to this progressive initiative.”

The BIA, comprised of 31 insurance companies, brokerages and agencies, is hoping that the government will abandon its plans to establish a public insurer and instead work towards offering affordable premiums to citizens along with its proposed vital benefits plan.

To accomplish this, the BIA had proposed the removal of value added tax (VAT) from all medical services and medical insurance, and the reduction of premium taxes in order to make health care more affordable. The BIA also called for the establishment of a legislated body made up of the industry, the government and civil society to set rates for the plan.

However, members of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) have hit out at the BIA, with Chairman Bradley Roberts labelling the group as an insurance “cartel” that simply wants “unfettered powers to raise premiums to ensure profits.”

However, Mr Komolafe stressed that in successful negotiations, compromises have to be made.

He added: “The doctors have come up also with their proposal, the medical association has done the same, the pharmaceutical association has done the same. Why don’t (we) put together our differences and work for something that is so important to the future of this nation?”

Mr Komolafe’s statements, though conciliatory in nature, are the latest in a saga of strained relations between the government and insurance stakeholders over the administration of NHI.

As recently as last month, the BIA said their limited involvement in NHI discussions was the “worst experience” that the association has had “with any sitting government in an independent Bahamas.”

Earlier this year, the association “unanimously” withdrew all co-operation with the NHI costing exercise due to the Christie administration “entirely ignoring” advice submitted by themselves and others, representatives said.

At the time, the BIA also said there was overwhelming evidence to suggest the proposed NHI model is not the “best fit” for the Bahamas, reiterating the industry’s “frustration” that the government had consistently failed to engage in “meaningful consultation” with healthcare industry stakeholders.

Registration for NHI began in January and its primary care phase is expected to start in April.