The PLP is the enemy of hard working Bahamians.

They won't tell us the truth because they know the truth is that the country cannot afford NHI in the form being suggested. Therefore Christie and his henchmen in a desperate attempt to fool their gullible supporters, will try to force through the scheme before May 2017. They will paint the scheme as "affordable" to their flock in the full knowledge that it will cripple the economy in a few years' time. By that time, Christie calculates the PLP will be back in power for another five years and they will be able to "cross that bridge when they come to it". Unfortunately by the time the truth becomes apparent the country's credit rating could be consigned to junk status and we could be looking at having to give up our peg to the US Dollar. Now THAT prospect should frighten the heck out of every Bahamian. It really is that serious folks.

Another nice little earner for the PLP "family"!

It seems even the PLP diehards are now seeing "Emperor" Christie for what he is. Roker is right, however, when he says "we lack leadership on all sides" at the moment. The FNM should be a certainty to form the next government but they are adopting a risky strategy in persevering with the unpopular Minnis.

Not only that, it will be staffed by overseas doctors from poor countries who probably won't speak good English and will be happy to work for lower pay. Meanwhile all the best Bahamian doctors will be off to practice in Florida. Try getting an appointment to see a specialist under NHI. So all those currently insured under private schemes will end up paying more for a much worse service.

Reality-Check: You say "only the well-off are being insured by the private healthcare insurers". This is nonsense, it is mainly hard working ordinary Bahamians who have private health care. It is these hard working Bahamians who are going to have to foot the bill for an NHI scheme that is neither properly planned or costed. No one wants to see people get sick for want of funds or insurance and the country needs to do more to help in this regard - no doubt about that. However, what will not help those people in the long run is The Bahamian economy being brought to its knees trying to support an NHI scheme that is simply unsustainable in the form that is currently envisaged by the PLP. Anyone who possesses a grain of sense can see that Christie is playing politics with the gullible in a desperate attempt to cling to power. He and his cohorts have no intention of consulting with stakeholders in the health business. His intention is to force the scheme through, introduce higher NIB contributions in the May budget (but nothing like the amount that will be needed) and persuade his supporters that he has "delivered" NHi. In effect all that he will have done is nudged the economy to the edge of the precipice leaving the FNM to bring the country back from the brink by restructuring NHI to something that the country can afford. Christie and the PLP believe that there are not enough intelligent Bahamians capable of seeing through their deceit. They will pay the price for this misjudgment.

A perfect summary of our corrupt little nation.

Maybe the PLP sees Zimbabwe as the role model country? Brother Mugabe has ensured that only the party faithful get their daily bread and government's family and friends get to share the spoils of power. Sound familiar? NHI is a complete smokescreen. It is not about improving the lives of Bahamians but all to do with pulling the wool over the eyes of the uneducated masses in a lust to remain in power.

Totally agree. Look at the mess government made when it tried its hand in the banking industry with Bank of The Bahamas. Health Insurance is way more complex and this government could not run a corner shop far less a health insurance industry.

I would like to know why the Tribune contacted Leslie Miller for comment? The man is incapable of adding anything intelligent to the debate. His personal attack on the BIA Chairman shows Miller up for what he is. This government is getting desperate now. It knows that its NHI scheme, as currently envisaged, is completely unsustainable. In its lust to remain in power the PLP is prepared to destroy the private health industry and compel hard working Bahamians to switch to a grossly inferior health product. Trust me, it will be inferior because the demand surge has not been properly factored into the equation nor has the exodus of skilled Bahamian doctors who will take nothing to do with NHI.