While acknowledging that the government has stepped up its public education on National Health Insurance (NHI) in recent weeks, Tall Pines MP Leslie Miller said the government has "done a terrible job" of educating citizens about the proposed universal health care scheme. The government intends to introduce NHI in phases, beginning January 1.
"I would say wholeheartedly that they have done a terrible job in educating the Bahamian people on the pros and cons of this plan," Miller said in a recent interview.
In the last two weeks, Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr. Delon Brennen has made multiple appearances on several radio talk shows, including Guardian Radio. He provided key details on the registration process, confirmed that primary care services would be rolled out in April; that those services include programs directed at the promotion of health, early diagnosis of disease and prevention of disease. Those services would cost $100 million in the first fiscal year, according to Brennen. Brennen also confirmed that the government would introduce a three percent payroll tax, evenly split between the employee and employer to fund primary care services.
Prime Minister Perry Christie said last week the government would seek to introduce the vital benefits package within nine months to a year of NHI's implementation. Primary care services are a subset of the vital benefits package. However, these key details about the scheme were either absent or unclear in recent months.
Miller called on Chief Medical Officer Dr. Glen Beneby to drive public education on NHI.
"He is a levelheaded gentleman," he said. "I have the greatest respect for him. I just think the government is doing a poor job in the promotion of this program. If a Cabinet minister is not fully satisfied that he has an understanding of what is going on, that tells you someone is in serious trouble. If your ministerial colleagues don't have an understanding, then someone needs to get themselves together."
In a National Review interview earlier this month, Minister of State for Legal Affairs Damian Gomez said the government's public relations on NHI is "horrible" and "hopeless". When asked who is responsible, Miller said, "Listen, I do not know which firm the government is using. I don't know who is the point person. I know that Dr. Beneby, in my opinion, is the best person. [He] should be dealing with this and dealing with the public."
Yesterday, Miller softened his tone and said the government has been "making some effort to get their point across". But he suggested it has not been sufficient. When asked about criticisms of a lack of legislation to support the introduction of NHI with fewer than two weeks left before the planned rollout, Miller did not respond directly.
The prime minister told reporters outside the House of Assembly yesterday the government would either move to amend the 2006 National Health Insurance Act or bring a new NHI bill to Parliament within the next three months.
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