The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

A Cabinet minister yesterday pledged that the Government will “not be held hostage” over its National Health Insurance (NHI) implementation plans, after senior public sector doctors refused to sign-on as providers.

Shane Gibson, minister of labour and National Insurance, said the Government would be prepared for the eventuality that some healthcare providers do not register or participate in the scheme.

Speaking at the opening of the National Insurance Board (NIB) Inspectors’ Conclave, Mr Gibson said the Government will be forging ahead with the introduction of NHI this year, whether or not it receives full buy-in from the medical community.

He added that greater participation from the medical commuity would lessen the Government’s involvement.

“We will not allow anyone to hold us hostage. If we have healthcare providers telling us now they are not going to participate, why should we not prepare for that?” Mr Gibson asked.

“Any doctor who tells us publicly that they are not providing information, we’re not supporting, we are not participating, we won’t hold it against them but we will be prepared for it. We will make sure persons will have alternatives to those who we thought would be a part of it initially.”

“I know for a fact that we have already started stakeholders meetings. We are interested in trying to find ways to ensure that we create a healthy Bahamas,” Mr Gibson said.

“That starts with universal access to primary health care. For those persons who are not on board, that is their right, if they think that making the mighty dollar is more important than saving lies. Our plan is to carry on with universal healthcare. We know for a fact that we will never be able to get everyone on board but this is the right thing to do.”    

As to criticisms over the lack of NHI consultation, Mr Gibson said: “I have been in meetings with stakeholders who I saw in the newspapers, subsequent to that, said that they had no meeting with us.

“No meetings or consultation to them, in my mind, means that if I can’t have it my way, then I’m going to tell the public I’m not a part of the process.

“If anyone knows Prime Minister Christie, he is huge on consultation, and he made it clear that nothing will happen unless there is widespread consultation with all of the stakeholders. Those who have an issue with anything we are discussing, our doors are open.”

Mr Gibson added: “We have medical doctors on staff at all of our health care facilities. We have medical facilities and healthcare providers who’ve said to us publicly and privately that they support it.

“It’s each individual’s right to support or not support. Whether they support or do not support, we will be introducing National Health Insurance.”

Mr Gibson said the Government has no intention of competing with private insurers, but instead wants to provide a choice to consumers by creating the public insurer, Bahama Care.

“We don’t want to compete; what we want to do is give choice,” he added.