By NATARIO McKENZIE
Tribune Business Reporter
nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net
The Government plans to roll-out National Health Insurance (NHI) catastrophic care plans costing "as little as $1,000 per year" within the next three to four weeks, it was revealed yesterday.
Dr Duane Sands, minister of health and national insurance, said the Minnis administration plans to roll-out a "significant adjustment" to the scheme once it gets Cabinet approval.
He made the disclosure at the Exuma Business Outlook conference, saying: "NHI provides primary care services to just over 40,000 Bahamians. We expect in the next three to four weeks to roll out a significant adjustment to the National Health Insurance plan to include coverage for catastrophic ailments.
"Once we have gotten Cabinet's approval, it is anticipated that we should be able to provide major medical plans for as little as $1,000 per year. That amount will be borne by the Government of The Bahamas, the employer and the employee, with contributions on a monthly basis by the employee of less than $20 or no more than two per cent of a person's salary and no more."
Dr Sands said The Bahamas spends almost $900m on healthcare annually. Some $306m of this comes from the Government's Consolidated Fund, with $80m spent on health insurance for MPs, teachers, police officers and other public servants.
"Bahamians pay more for health than most people in the world. We have a lousy result in terms of our health status and perhaps we can change the model," Dr Sands suggested.
Comments
gbgal 5 years, 6 months ago
Now is the time to roll out a National Get Healthy programme. Obesity is epidemic in our country; we must improve the individual levels of health. Look around at the numbers of adults and children, professionals and ordinary citizens bursting out of their clothes...Spending almost one billion dollars annually in health care is too costly for us. I dread to see the outcomes when this new Catastrophic Insurance scheme kicks in! That $1,000 will soon escalate making it very difficult to maintain a satisfactory level of care for us plus adding to the burden of taxation. Let's prepare for this by dealing with root causes now. The health of our nation is in our hands and we must do the right things now not later!
The_Oracle 5 years, 6 months ago
And the only catastrophe inadequately covered will be the constant state of catastrophe at the PMH, Rand and clinics. "Bahamians pay more for health than most people in the world. " and will be asked to pay even more. Can proof of private cover exempt people please?
TalRussell 5 years, 6 months ago
Ma Comrades, Dr Duane need go into the archives to read the 2008/2009 budget debate,when Prime Minister Papa Hubert had pledged that with the proceeds of BTC's privatisation, the government would build a new hospital........ Refresh me memory - solve the mystery of where exactly was it did the Papa Hubert red shirts regime fall down and drop money bag on way deposit and spends the $210 million cash from sale BTC into building new hospital's bank account?
{ Not making this up }.
Well_mudda_take_sic 5 years, 6 months ago
And the insurance deductible under the $1,000 a year plan to be paid by the insured before receiving medical treatment for a catastrophic illness is $25,000 a year. LMAO.
birdiestrachan 5 years, 6 months ago
it looks like more taxes for poor people.
birdiestrachan 5 years, 6 months ago
Two percent of a persons salary, plus 12%VAT
TalRussell 5 years, 6 months ago
Comrade Dr. Duane gone lifted page right out Trump's playbook how best be destroying Obamacare,
You thinks you got catastrophic pains now - I got this message the seriously unhealthy..... better asks chair sit down when billing department hands you 'copay' bill for da deductible, This is done beginning sounds likes some kinds fake Universal BahamaCARE.
bogart 5 years, 6 months ago
EXCELLENT....,!!!.....Doc Sands needs to be saying nice tings ...after a couple weeks...ac breaking down....no coding billing....PMH...meed fixing....Dialysis patients ..getting 3 hours stead of 4 hours ...staff striking....not enuff staff for clinic...not enough for all doctor students...
John 5 years, 6 months ago
May sound small but for a person on minimum wage, it will be 10% of their income and 12-15% of their take home pay. Not saying it may not be worth it... just saying.
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