By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

THE government is “putting the cart before the horse” with its push toward implementing National Health Insurance while ignoring that Bahamians will need sufficient time with the NHI legislation before it is passed, FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis said yesterday.

He told The Tribune that for the government to announce plans to release the historic draft legislation this month was another example of the Christie administration’s “late again” style of governing.

He said three months would not be sufficient for consultation of the Bill ahead of April, which is when officials have said the plan’s primary healthcare package will be rolled out.

On Sunday, the government said the draft document for the healthcare scheme had been approved by Cabinet and will be released for public and further stakeholder consultation before the end of January.

Dr Minnis said: “What they are doing is putting the cart before the horse. That is nothing new when it comes to this Christie-led government.”

“They don’t have respect for the law or Bahamians to just this month say they will release the legislation. While I am happy they are listening to the public by releasing the legislation as many Bahamians have asked them to do, the fact still remains – what is the official cost and what are the other elements to be associated with this NHI?”

He added: “This government need also to be reminded that NHI will be nothing without an efficient healthcare system.”

The FNM leader said the government has also ignored the needs of the poor and middle-class Bahamians who are in need of catastrophic insurance.

In its statement on Sunday, the government said the legislation, which will provide the legal foundation for NHI, is currently undergoing “final revisions together with stakeholders.”

However, in the meantime, the government said registration for NHI, by way of the National Insurance Board (NIB), will commence as scheduled on January 18. The new NIB smart card, which was launched in 2014, will be used as the primary tool for identifying persons that are eligible for NHI services.

The government has said NHI will be introduced in phases.

“In the first phase of coverage (primary care), Bahamians will receive a number of health services such as prevention, visits to the doctor, and other basic health needs free of cost and with no new tax in the initial phase,” the statement said.

“Those with existing health insurance will not be required to give that up.”

The government also said that an NHI website and “other information sharing tools” will be unveiled this month to “ensure that Bahamians have the information they need to understand what NHI Bahamas is, the values of the new system, and how it will work.”

Additionally, the government said it is still continuing its Health System Strengthening (HSS) throughout the country, having allocated $40m towards the upgrade of the country’s various health facilities and systems to prepare for NHI.

“The government of the Bahamas remains committed to having a NHI programme in our country and has been working tirelessly to develop and execute the framework to make this vision a reality, for a stronger Bahamas,” the statement said.

“We are a proud and caring people. The historic launch of NHI Bahamas is a big step to ensuring that everyone has reasonable access to healthcare, assuring a bright future for all Bahamians and improving the health of our country.”

The Christie administration has not revealed how much NHI will cost and has faced criticism for not being transparent about the plan.