The Government of The Bahamas made the Draft Copy of the NHI Bahamas legislation available for public review and consultation, Thursday, February 18, 2016 during a press briefing at the National Health Insurance Secretariat, located in the Teachers and Salaried Workers Credit Union Building, East Street and Purpose Way. Pictured (from left) are: Dr. Delon Brennen, Project Coordinator, NHI Bahamas; Mr. Peter Deveaux-Isaacs, Permanent Secretary, NHI Bahamas; and Damara Dillett, Legal Counsel, NHI Bahamas. (BIS Photo/Patrick Hanna)

The Government of The Bahamas on Thursday (February 18) made the full text of its draft National Health Insurance Bill available to all sectors of society for review and consultation as part of its ongoing consultative and education and awareness campaigns.

The Bill proposes to repeal the National Insurance Act of 2007; to establish the legal framework for NHI Bahamas; to establish the NHI Bahamas Fund, to establish the National Health Insurance Authority and to implement the NHI Bahamas plan.  It further addresses the functions and powers of the NHIA and covers eligibility for enrolment requirements, criteria for healthcare providers and regulated health administrators seeking to participate in the Plan, and confidentiality and collaboration.

It will also allow the Government to establish the administrative framework and other necessary mechanisms to provide quality healthcare to all legal Bahamian residents under NHI Bahamas “that is modern, affordable and accessible” and will enable sustainability through the appropriate allocation of resources.

Mr. Peter Deveaux-Isaacs, Permanent Secretary, National Health Insurance, said NHI Bahamas is “an extremely important part” of the Government of The Bahamas’ plan to achieve its goal of making The Bahamas the healthiest nation in the Caribbean by the year 2030.

NHI Bahamas will provide health insurance coverage to legal residents of The Bahamas at no cost in the initial primary, healthcare phase.

“In the end, our goal remains the same. We all want better and affordable healthcare for all of our Bahamian citizens and legal residents,” Mr. Deveaux-Isaacs said. “We must remember that NHI Bahamas is about taking care of each other; about ensuring that those who cannot afford healthcare are able to, and that those who have limited access to healthcare can access it easier.

“NHI Bahamas will also ensure that we all have a choice in who provides us with healthcare and insurance.”

Permanent Secretary Deveaux-Isaacs said it was “very important” for the Government of The Bahamas to ensure that all stakeholders be engaged in the process.

“We are looking forward to hearing from interested persons and in particular, persons in the medical profession and the insurance community as well as from unions and other associations,” Mr. Deveaux-Isaacs said.

“We have always affirmed that their input and participation are key for the success of NHI Bahamas. We are confident that now, with more information on the programme and its implementation, we can move forward together towards our common goal of better healthcare for all Bahamians.”

Mr. Deveaux-Isaacs said a significant amount of work has gone into the drafting stage of the NHI legislation by a Working Group of Technical Experts “within the Government,” along with consultants in the public and private sectors.

The NHI Permanent Secretary said this does not preclude others from offering viable input into the process.

“This is just a draft Bill. What we are asking of our stakeholders is to provide the Secretariat with tangible and constructive feedback as to how this Draft may be further strengthened or clarified so that we can work together to develop the final version that will be presented to Parliament.”

The legislation is online at www.nhibahamas.gov.bs.

Permanent Secretary Deveaux-Isaacs said the NHI Secretariat will remain open to all stakeholders for their input. Persons can also email their input to info@nhibahamas.gov.bs or connect in person by telephoning 502-7601. The NHI Secretariat is located in the Teachers and Salaried Workers Credit Union Building, East Street and Purpose Way.

“We will seek to continue to hold community meetings small presentations throughout The Bahamas, and also seek to schedule meetings with all key stakeholder groups to specifically discuss the Bill as we move the process along,” Mr. Deveaux-Isaacs added.

By Matt Maura - Bahamas Information Services