Mark Britnell of Global Health Practice at KPMG speaks with the Rotary Club of East Nassau on the overall economic benefits of universal health coverage. Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff
By RASHAD ROLLE
Tribune Staff Reporter
rrolle@tribunemedia.net
LINGERING concerns about National Health Insurance (NHI) plans among business people were laid bare on Friday after a presentation to Rotary Club of East Nassau members from two top NHI officials were met with scepticism and, at times, harsh criticism.
Dr Mark Britnell, the head of KPMG's healthcare practice, and Dr Delon Brennan, NHI's Project Manager, discussed the benefitis of NHI during the meeting.
They said that primary healthcare, the third phase of NHI's rollout, will be introduced early this year, though no specific date was given. Mr Britnell said primary healthcare will be available in the Spring.
Officials are currently finalising the NHI regulations as well as selecting an institution to manage the public insurer.
Dr Brennan said it would not take long for the public insurer to get up and running after a manager is selected, given the experience the would-be company has in insurance management.
He described the NHI Secretariat's interactions with potential providers as positive so far.
Nonetheless, Rotarians were openly sceptical of the NHI scheme, particularly the idea that it would not become financially burdensome.
"I want you all to realise that everyone in this room are business owners so we're paying for this," one man said. "Don't tell me it's free because that's a bunch of crap. We're paying for this. My staff enjoys medical insurance. There's no way in hell I'm going to pay for that, and for this.
"If you been in the Princess Margaret Hospital lately or some of the clinics on the out islands, you'd see the (expletive) they are in. It's ridiculous. There's a clinic in Abaco that was built five years ago and it's rotting down; another clinic in Exuma that's built five years ago that's also rotting down. It's unbelievable. I'm sitting back here and I can't believe what I'm hearing (from you)."
As Dr Brennan sought to address the man's concerns, another Rotarian shouted: "Who's gonna pay for it? Who is going to pay for it? Don't say it's free."
"None of us has said it's free," Mr Brennan responded, explaining that the NHI scheme would allow people to access services without worrying about costs at the time of doing so.
Officials have said that secondary stages of NHI may be paid only after a new tax is imposed.
As for primary healthcare, while additional money will be pumped into the health system to support it, officials emphasised on Friday that primary healthcare will largely be paid with the usual amount of money given to the healthcare system, by reducing wastage.
Comments
ohdrap4 7 years, 3 months ago
Make that December 15 early 2017
MonkeeDoo 7 years, 3 months ago
Christies last desperate stroke before he exits the Bahanas forever. Whiever is left going to jail.
Zakary 7 years, 3 months ago
I hope the PLP lose every seat.
Porcupine 7 years, 3 months ago
Another Bahamian run catastrophe to fleece the people.
Well_mudda_take_sic 7 years, 3 months ago
These foreign KPMG consultants are only concerned about the grossly inflated fees they will be charging for their bogus services. We will be left holding the bag for a failed healthcare system designed and implemented based on their bogus advice. They never assume any liability or responsibility for their bogus advice. They simply muck up and make things much worse in smaller less developed countries, then pack their bags and go home once they get their exorbitant fees!
ThisIsOurs 7 years, 3 months ago
"the NHI scheme would allow people to access services without worrying about costs at the time of doing so."
What? So when do you worry about the cost?
MonkeeDoo 7 years, 3 months ago
KPMG should never have sullied its name with this crooked shit.
concernedcitizen 7 years, 3 months ago
Are you aware of one of the Bahamian partners at KPMG and who he is related to ??
sealice 7 years, 3 months ago
please do tell we'll finally know why they get all de gubmint contracts?? Which elected PLP is it?
TalRussell 7 years, 3 months ago
Comrades! I would like to know if "employee sick notes" are still a requirement demanded by employers, and if so, if Dr Mark Britnell, the head of KPMG's healthcare practice, and Dr Delon Brennan, NHI's Project Manager - are in agreement with an "employee sick notes policy"?
MonkeeDoo 7 years, 3 months ago
Concerned: Which partner ?
TalRussell 7 years, 3 months ago
Comrades! Whom to believe will not matter if serious price rollbacks are not undertaken ahead of BahamaCARE to control the excessive costs to consumers of Prescription Drugs.
There must also be stronger preventive measures put in place to prevent the importation and resale of "fake" drugs that can kill you coming out China and other known countries of mass producers of "fake" drugs.
Groidal 7 years, 3 months ago
dey done Rotarian be der racist white folk done keep de blak man down
B_I_D___ 7 years, 3 months ago
I still say that every government agency, employee and even politicians that may have government funded health care plans lose their private coverage and are forced to use the now government funded and backed NHI scheme. No exceptions. Even the PM, no more private healthcare, he should be forced to use the NHI as well.
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