DNA Deputy: Don't lose sight of what universal health coverage is about

DNA Deputy Leader Chris Mortimer speaks to the media as the party leader Branville McCartney looks on.

As of Friday, December 4, 2015

By NICO SCAVELLA

Tribune Staff Reporter

nscavella@tribunemedia.net

DEMOCRATIC National Alliance (DNA) Deputy Leader Chris Mortimer on Friday called for both sides in the debate over the administration of National Health Insurance (NHI) to not "lose sight" of what universal health coverage is about.

Mr Mortimer said NHI's core purpose - to provide quality universal healthcare for all Bahamian citizens - has become "drowned out" in an 'I supposed to get mine and you taking from me' debate between the government and the private sector.

He said rather than engage in discussions around "demonising" and "self interest", both parties should approach NHI with an eye to "strengthening our healthcare system" and making it accessible to every Bahamian.

Recently, the government and NHI's private sector stakeholders have locked horns over the administration and subsequent implementation of NHI. The insurance industry 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.

Government officials, meanwhile, have likened the Bahamas Insurance Association (BIA), to an "insurance cartel", with one outspoken government official stating that there is "no way in hell" NHI will be ready for a January 1 rollout so long as the government continues to "dialogue with greedy insurance companies".

"I do not buy into the argument that it cannot happen," Mr Mortimer said on Friday. "Usually when you have a NHI debate, you're talking about a number of (persons) who are trying to ultimately work out a situation that ultimately is in their best interest. So I don't fault the (Bahamas Insurance Association) because obviously they're working for what is in their best interest. Nor do I fault any of the other partners, whether its the (Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation), because I understand who they're representing as well.

"The only thing I say is that at the end of the day we cannot lose sight of what it is that NHI is about. It's about the people. And it's easy for the people to get drowned out in a debate about 'I supposed to get mine and you taking from me'. And if the Bahamian people get caught up in that debate, the Bahamian people will lose. And that's why we're here, to remind the BIA, to remind the Chamber of Commerce, to remind the 'party of no', do not lose sight of what has to happen in this country. Because for all of them, all of them - whether it's themselves or their family could have a moment when they will need a NHI. So I don't buy that it can't work."

Mr Mortimer also lodged his support behind the government pushing for a January 1 implementation date, stating that NHI's costing - though unknown at the moment - would likely increase if delayed.

"Whatever the cost of the plan is, whether it's $300m, whether it's $600m, whatever it is, what I do know is if we delay, next year, it will be $400m, or $700m, because the cost isn't coming down," he said.

He added: It's always easy to destroy an idea. That's the easy part. The hard part is to transform a country, and to do it in the benefit of the majority of people. It would be easy for us in the DNA to stand here and jump onto the bandwagon with the FNM and the (United Democratic Party) and say 'no'. That's easy.

"But the health of our people is beyond politics. And Bahamians out there want this. They want it and need it."

NHI will be phased in over a five-year period, officials have said. The government has allocated $60m for the first phase of NHI.

According to Sanigest Internacional, the government's Costa Rican consultants on NHI, the scheme could cost up to $633m if implemented as a comprehensive package. On the low end, NHI could cost around $362m.

However, the government has yet to reveal how much NHI will cost and how it plans to pay for the proposed scheme.

Recently, a high level stakeholder in the health insurance industry warned that as many as 1,000 people will join the unemployment line if the Christie administration moves forward with NHI without incorporating the BIA's recommendations.

Acting Prime Minister Philip "Brave" Davis, in response, said the scheme is designed to absorb any fallout in the private insurance sector. Mr Davis added that the government is not discussing delaying the rollout of NHI, despite criticism that the public healthcare system will not be ready to meet the government's self imposed implementation date of January 1.

However, Chamber of Commerce Chairman Gowon Bowe has asserted that the government's "adversarial" position to stick to a January 2016 launch of NHI is a "gun to the head" of Bahamians.

blackbahamain 8 years, 4 months ago

I never thought I would be commanding the DNA for maturity that they are showing on this particular topic and going beyond politics for the DNA. Business the beginning of maturity in bahamain politics. I'm not a DNA supporter but I totally agree.BAHAMAIN FIRST

TalRussell 8 years, 4 months ago

Comrade Chris you just open the door to ridicule the red shirts party's official opposition to Universal Health Care.
You should also tell Dr. Duane and the red leaning media-moguls , why their opposition to delay Universal Health Care for all Bahamalanders until God knows when - will be a death sentence for many of those done diagnosed and soon be diagnosed souls with lots sugar in their blood, cancer wreaking their bodies and lots other lifer-threatening medical diagnoses, that if left untreated can send you meets your maker earlier than written in lamb's book of death predictions.
For thousands of our citizens to delay Universal Health Care for even 30 days will be to hand them a certain death sentence.
It is so important that lab blood tests, x-rays, brain scans, etc be covered under new Universal Health Care.
Dr. Duane and his the red party and media-moguls have been campaigning for the return of the hangman's noose but now they are also to be known as Bahamaland's very own home-grown universal health care terrorists - they would take you out before your time.

Economist 8 years, 4 months ago

Tal please explain why we should

Agree to something before we know how much it is going to cost. Who buys a car just when they don't know how much it is going to cost? In this case the government is talking about a Rolls Royce.
Agree to hundreds of millions more of our dollars being given away (remember 25% plus of the money spent on health is wasted every year on corrupt, inefficient people (sorry maybe they are your people).
Agree to this before the PHA waste and corruption is fixed.
Agree to this when the international rating agencies are telling us not to do it now and may down rate us.
Agree to this when it will almost certainly mean that the Bahamian Dollar will be devalued and the NHI will collapse as well.
Agree to this as it will, over a period of three year put tens of thousands out of work

Oh, don't forget to make sure that the Kidney dialysis needs to be taken out of the hands of both the Yellow shirts and the Red shirts since you keep turning this into a political thing.

TalRussell 8 years, 4 months ago

Comrade Economist tis not I making this a red thing but am I not allowed counter Dr. Duane's misinformation. And, yes he speaks for his red party - often if you red the Tribune and listen talk shows.
We should welcome and encourage exchanges over Universal Heath Care but not when disguised as we are not really against it but we don't really know how much will be the cost escalation after its introduction. Others will want to address issues of the delivery quality. All I know is the answer to all the unknown, it is still far batter than staying with the current broken health care system that few will speak well of.
The one consensus is it needs a major fix surgery and quickly cause its on life-support. Truth be told, despite the hundreds millions they spent, the Papa Hubert regime's public delivery of health care were excellent at cosmetic surgery. Allow PM Christie to perform the radical surgery Papa and Minnis, never got around to performing.

themessenger 8 years, 4 months ago

Mr. Mortimer, you are coming across as a used car salesman asking Bahamians to continue to do what they already do so well, that is hang their basket higher than they can reach.

I reiterate; It is an unfortunate fact of life that there will always be haves and have nots and impoverishing one group of people to empower another has, in many countries, proven to be counterproductive. Socialism, including healthcare, may be a very grand and noble concept but the reality of it is as once stated by a wise statesman;

"The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings; the inherent virtue of socialism is the equal sharing of miseries."

I for one know what I'm currently getting for my premiums, and I'm under no illusions about what I'll get for my taxes under a government run NHI.

Bahamianpride 8 years, 4 months ago

I have heard both sides of the argument and it is clear that individuals that have a vested interest in protecting their own status or financial situation don't care whether people are dying because of failed access to basic healthcare needs. I am not a PLP, FNM or DNA they're all the same to me. In life, he who feels it knows it and the haves don't have any compassion for the have nots. Those individuals born into a certain status or who profit greatly from the current system of for profit only health care will try to spin this as some socialist anti capitalist welfare state. Yet when the government gives away Crown Land to the wealthy and provides huge incentives no mention is given to welfare or that we cannot afford it. It is only when things are done to help working class people and the poor that the affluent get up in arms about spending and debt. I am no fan of PMH or the Authority but I see the suffering that many families go through that cannot afford the premiums for health coverage or who get scammed by the insurance industry in the Bahamas. We claim to be a christian nation but would limit healthcare only to those who could afford it. I see health care as a basic human right and those who don't want universal healthcare should also have the right to purchase whatever private healthcare they can afford and avoid public hospitals and clinics. But every citizen should be able to walk into the hospital and receive medical treatment without worrying about financial ruin. Lastly the insurance industry in the Bahamas is worst than organized crime, from property to medical coverage all they want to do is collect money and not pay a dime in claims. I am under no delusion that this or anything done by the government will be done right but I give credit to the fact that they are going in the right direction for the best interest of the majority of the population.

sheeprunner12 8 years, 4 months ago

What you are saying is perfectly acceptable ............. but will the NHI cost us to sell our souls to the IMF??????? That is what is troubling many Bahamians. Secondly, what most Bahamians have to do is commit to living healthier lifestyles because at this rate, we are killing ourselves because of our out of control eating, partying, driving and gang-banging habits ............. I am sure you understand this side of the NHI debate

sheeprunner12 8 years, 4 months ago

BTW .................... has the NHI Bill been debated in Parliament as yet????? Or do the PLP expect that to be a 6 hour debate and rubber stamp exercise??????? There is truly little democracy left in Parliament or civiil society .......... we are told to go on the government website ....... we should be able to VOTE (opinion) on these bills on the website as well