The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

Sanigest, the company hired by the PLP government to develop the key design features of National Health Insurance (NHI) and aid in its implementation, admits that there are shortfalls in the revenue required to support it.

According to the Sanigest report recently prepared for the government, all three scenarios that were recommended fell short of their estimated targets, ranging from $5m in the first scenario, to $26m in the third. Sanigest claims that by instituting minor adjustments the money can be made up by (i) restricting benefits, (ii) reducing capital expenditure (iii) increasing fees or (iv) reducing administrative costs.

Dr Gross from Dalhousie, Canada, spoke at the Medical Association of the Bahamas conference on Thursday held at Atlantis. Dr Gross, an orthopaedic surgeon who has worked all over the world, superbly outlined numerous examples of the high costs that countries endure trying to maintain and pay for their National Health Services. The United States being at the top of the list with its newly introduced Affordable Care Act. Dr Gross clearly, and not so subtly, warned the Bahamas about NHI and its high costs.

His talk was followed by what appeared to be a deliberate attempt by Sanigest to overshadow and insult Dr Gross. Sanigest’s advisor, stated that health care was the number one political crisis that has led to the downfall of many governments such as Norway, Israel, Holland and Australia. He went on to say that the weaker the government the less chance you will have of getting better health care.

When questioned by one of the Bahamian doctors about how then might the Bahamas be able to afford NHI, he quickly reverted to success stories like Finland, Singapore and Costa Rica.

One must note, however, that in Costa Rica earners pay a little over 9 per cent in social security tax and 14 per cent VAT. In Singapore, the government enforces a system of compulsory savings, subsidies and price control, and in Finland the state receives funding from taxes and state subsidies.

Despite this clear indication that an increase and/or an additional taxation is the only way to adequately begin to pay for a National Health Service, Prime Minister Perry Christie still claims that no decision has been made yet.

It is now time for Bahamians to give this matter deep and serious consideration — their whole future is at stake. If Mr Christie’s government can’t make a decision, then let’s make it for him.

DECISION MAKER

Nassau,

March 6, 2015.