1000% agree. It is all in the packaging. It is already controversial before the real discussion started. I believe the dismal state of the health of an average Bahamian (add mercury poisoning at age 40+ due to high consumption of fish, skin cancer, breast cancer, diabetes) is a serious problem that puts a good portion of our population out of the race for being able to lead a normal life and being able to pursue a job/career. If breaking a leg empties your bank account, or breast cancer eats up your retirement savings, something needs to happen. I suggested a two class medical system that is being paid by all of us through payroll. Lower percentage than suggested accessible for all, but no Rolls Royce. Government to hire three hundred Cuban doctors (eyes, cancer, skin, general practicioners), they travel to the islands, are inexpensive (or cut a deal with the Cuban Government). there are thousands of Cuban doctors in Ecuador, Zaire, Mocambique, Venezuela. Cuba has eye clinics that are being filled with Jumbo Jet loads full of French people on a weekly basis. Whoever wants to see these "doctors for the people" have to do a small co-pay of lets say 5 BSD per visit and the rest is paid for by the Government - so a state paid lower class medical system - communist style. Whoever does not like that can still go back to his own doctor under his own separate private insurance arrangement or pay out of pocket. this is not rocket science. Maybe a system that works for 20 years until the health of the average Bahamian has increased. Not sophisticated but easy to administer and it can be run through a trust to reduce corruption.

Amen.

here is an opportunity to work with Cuba: get their doctors in to treat the masses for no to little money. Do a two class medical system, for the have's with Doctors Hostiptal and all the nice offices (screening my skin costs me 500 BSD a year) vs. a solid basic medical offering for the have nots. Take some money from all pay rolls but only put it into the "have not program". This will make people healthy and more secure to work and function and should lower death rates for newborns, diabetics, skin cancer, breast cancer.

Savings, in what? 157 M in savings vs. cost of all premiums? The Bahamas would be the first country on this planet that had its health care cost under control. Looking at all the obese people walking the streets (or not), the high rate of diabetes, levels of drinking, poor diet etc., we all know that the people at the government are lying. knowingly and intentionally. If you use a cheap generic drug vs. an expensive branded drug to treat an illness, it is still an expense. Goal is to prevent expenses not to achieve "relative savings" Key is that people get healthy in thiscountry and this only happens through taxation of alcohol and enforcement of DUI's/DWI's, tax free import of fruit, vegetable, taxation of sugar and sugar containing foods, education through appropriate channels (Churches, Schools, Employers, Unions). etc.

pushing around hot air. It does not matter whether Southern Alliance is registered to do business, question is whether (I) there was a policy, and (ii) if the policy covers this situation. And EVEN IF it is covered, whether Southern Alliance is able to perform. Not rocket science. Legally it is clear. The guy that burnt down the place is responsible as he created the damage. I take he cant pay. So onus is back on the owner of the property, i.e. the government. I wonder why the government has not taken out umbrella coverage. If they really rely on contractors' polcies, I would not set foot on any government property during construction ever again.

and an appropriate punishment of the foolishness is to pull the residency/work permit for the owner, confiscate his assets in the Bahamas and hand it over to a long serving PLP crony. Please shoot all the geese that lay eggs.

and, I see so many rental cars driving around in NP, it almost seems that they are set up for the sole purpose of circumventing the import duty on cars.

Speaking of which, I like the "January 2016" part. who about the number's boys to pay for the NHI for all of us?

yep its like a kid that mixes up right and left, ey? Lets ask Sir Bradley Roberts, I am sure he has someone in mind to blame

starting a witch hunt? looking for 2nd class Bahamians? Lets also book the Bahamians that are making money bringing in the illegals. Why are they not being caught? And if it is not Bahamians, but Haitians in the Bahamas, who are the corrupt police officers and immigration officers that close their eyes? Why are there safe houses for illegal immigrants in Rose Island, everybody knows and no one acts? Who owns these houses? go after them.