200,000 legal residents of The Bahamas currently without health insurance to receive access to quality healthcare

Fri, Feb 19th 2016, 04:34 PM

The implementation of National Health Insurance Bahamas will ensure that the more than 200,000 legal residents of The Bahamas who currently do not have access to health insurance coverage have access to that coverage – free of charge at point of care – when they need it.

That will have a positive domino effect on the healthcare of those 200,000 persons, many of whom do not currently seek much-needed medical attention because they cannot afford it.

Dr. Delon Brennen, Project Coordinator for National Health Insurance Bahamas and a medical doctor who specializes in paediatric emergency medicine, said the introduction and implementation of national health insurance in The Bahamas is “significant.”

“As a medical doctor in paediatric emergency medicine, I see the struggles ordinary Bahamians go through every day to get care for themselves and their families. In my practice I see pregnant women unable to afford an ultrasound. I see men avoiding going to the doctor to get their heart and blood pressure checked for fear it will cost them their month’s salary.

“I see grandmothers with diabetes, on a small budget, waiting and saving their money for treatment (and) I see mothers unable to afford antibiotics for their sick children.  National Health Insurance Bahamas will change all of this,” Dr. Brennen added.

Dr. Brennen said NHI Bahamas will also allow young mothers to receive an ultrasound and care for their newborns without having to pay for it.

“It will also allow the construction worker to have tests done to screen for heart disease at no cost. The mother will get her antibiotics from her primary care doctor free of cost. We will all benefit from the services NHI Bahamas provides and with no new tax to pay for it in the initial phase,” Dr. Brennen added.

Dr. Brennen’s comments came while addressing a press conference held at the National Health Insurance Bahamas Secretariat Thursday (February 18) to announce that the Government of The Bahamas had made available draft copies of the NHI Bahamas legislation which can be reviewed online by visiting the www.nhibahamas.gov.bs website.

According to Ms. Damara Dillett, Legal Counsel for NHI Bahamas, the legislation “sets out the substantive provisions necessary for the implementation of the NHI Plan.”

“The NHI Draft legislation is a legal and regulatory framework that ensures NHI Bahamas provides modern, affordable and accessible healthcare for legal Bahamian residents,” Ms. Dillett said.

“(It) includes necessary provisions to legally establish the NHI Bahamas plan; the creation of a National Health Insurance Authority and the National Health Insurance Fund. Additionally, the Bill, amongst other things, speaks to the functions and powers of the NHIA; persons eligible to enroll, criteria for healthcare providers and regulated health administrators seeking to participate in the plan, confidentiality and collaboration.”

Ms. Dillett said the provision of the Draft legislation online allows the Government to ensure that “the best possible legislation” is put in place to govern NHI Bahamas.

“The Government of The Bahamas has made its position clear. The public and stakeholder community must have an opportunity to review the draft legislation for National Health Insurance as well as have the opportunity to give commentary and recommend changes before the Bill is presented to Parliament.

“In this regard, the Government of The Bahamas seeks the comments of all persons impacted by the proposed National Health Insurance Plan so that consideration might be given to all views which may be offered in respect of the Bill, prior to the same being debated in Parliament.

“It is important that we have the best possible legislation to govern NHI Bahamas and enable the programme to work as intended to provide all of us better and more affordable healthcare,” Ms. Dillett added.

Dr. Brennen said the availability of the Draft Legislation online is part of a wide-ranging education and awareness and consultative process.

“In the last few weeks we have visited and spoken with numerous stakeholders and members of the public in New Providence and Grand Bahama. We have heard their concerns and listened to their stories. We want to continue to consult with Bahamians and continue the conversation and will be traveling across the country to discuss the importance of NHI and how it will make lives better.

“We will continue to meet with stakeholders and will be contacting them to schedule meetings to specifically focus on the legislation. Technical Working Groups, including with stakeholders, will also be convened to help draft the regulations that will accompany the final Bill.

“We will also be reaching out to physician groups, health councils, unions, pharmacists, the BIA, Chambers of Commerce, the Christian Council, civic organizations, and many others as we highlight the benefits of this modern, affordable, accessible National Health Insurance programme.”

Weekly community meetings have been scheduled throughout The Bahamas for February, March and April as part of the education, awareness, and dialogue process.

By Matt Maura - Bahamas Information Services


Dr. Delon Brennen, Project Coordinator for National Health Insurance Bahamas, addressing members of the media during a press conference held Thursday (February 18) at the National Health Insurance Secretariat located in the Teachers and Salaried Workers Credit Union Building, East Street and Purpose Way. (BIS Photo/Patrick Hanna)

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