MINISTER OF WORKS & UTILITIES

THE NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE ACT 2006
HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY

DECEMBER 7TH, 2006
NASSAU BAHAMAS

Mr. Speaker, I am extremely delighted today to rise on behalf of the good people of the Bain and Grants Town Constituency to enthusiastically make my contribution to this progressive and revolutionary National Health Insurance Bill which will lay the foundation for the introduction of a National Health Insurance Scheme. Beyond question this Bill will in time be proven to be another landmark piece of progressive social legislation as was National Insurance under the Lynden Pindling led Government in 1972 & 1974. I support the Bill because it is in the vital interest of the people whom I have had the esteem pleasure to represent in this Honourable House for almost twenty-five years.  It is also my view that this Bill is in the best interest of the entire Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

Mr. Speaker, to borrow and rephrase words penned by Martin Luther King Jr.;

“The role of those who attempt to make peaceful revolution impossible by refusing to give up the privileges and the pleasures that comes from the immense profits of their business and practices is abundantly clear for all to see. Whatever umbrella they come it should be clear for thinking persons to see.”

Mr. Speaker, I am convinced that if we in our Bahamaland are to get on the right side of the progressive world’s revolution, we as a nation must undergo a radical revolution of values. We must rapidly begin the shift from a "thing-oriented" society to a "person-oriented" society. When machines and computers, profit motives and property rights are considered more important than people, the giant twins of selfishness, and materialism, are incapable of being conquered.

Mr. Speaker, all those whom I have read appear to agree or say that there must be National Health Insurance for all in the Bahamas. Some say that the Government is rushing the Bill notwithstanding that this process started more than 22 years ago. In my opinion something does not smell or taste right. Those who feel they have the right approach or variation have I am advised not advanced any proposal that they believe is the right model for the Bahamas. It reminds me about the story of the man who professes to love his lady with words but fails to match that proclamation with deeds. The lady cried and begs and challenged him “you say you love me with words but have failed to put those words into action”.  In the meantime Mr. Speaker, whilst the Nero’s are fiddling Rome is burning.
And the Official Opposition, Mr. Speaker, have proven to be the modern day Nero’s. But I am not surprised by the FNM’s adoption of Nero’s dysfunctionalism as expressed by its leader, the Member for North Abaco. I say dysfunctionalism because the Official Opposition’s position is to and fro and then backward and forward, swaying like a reed in any direction that the wind is blowing.

First they said they were against it. Then they said they were for it, with more information provided. And then yesterday, their dysfunctional leader told this Parliament all of the things that could be wrong about it, but gave no alternative plan—and then supported it anyway! A classical case of dysfuntionalism. The. Nero for North Abaco.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to remind the public what The Holy Bible says about a double-minded man—he is unstable in all of his ways. Obviously, The God-inspired Holy Bible looked down through the ages of future time and saw that the Member for North Abaco, would be taking a double-minded approach to this Bill and hence, decided to warn Believers, of what lies ahead for those who follow the folly of a dysfunctional leader.

 Mr. Speaker, there is a logic to what we are attempting to do today. Likewise it is logical and stands to reason that the Health Care Professionals must be the first to know that poor people are dying because they lack the resources to pay for health care, yet those in that profession who claim that they have the right model have failed to advance the same. They claim that there has not been sufficient consultation or the right kind of consultations. Never mind Mr. Speaker that the National Health Insurance Program has been led by one of their own, my dear friend and neighbour Dr. Perry Gomez, a very highly respected locally and internationally member of the medical fraternity, who speaks their language, who sees what they see every day. Are there some who would wish that consultations go on forever for selfish reason??? Are we caught up in a war of EGOS??.

Mr. Speaker, My Maternal Grand Mother Maude Faustina Albury nee Kidro who hailed from Nicholls Town Andros, told me that every road has an end. I hear the deafening cries of the poor and the down trodden whose pleas and demands are, that it is high time for closure to come after twenty-two years of consultations. Mr. Speaker, No woman can be pregnant forever. Closure must come for all pregnancies. As it was for National Insurance, as it was for Independence, as it was for the creation of the College of The Bahamas, as it was for the creation of the Development Bank, as it was for the creation of the Defense Force, as it was for the creation of the Bank of The Bahamas, and as it was for the creation of the Urban Renewal Programme.   Mr. Speaker, all of the programmes that I have just mentioned have something in common, and that commonality is that they were all opposed by the Free National Movement.

Mr. Speaker, there is something far more sinister than nonsensical in the fact that the FNM, historically, has refused to support programs for the underprivileged and poor Bahamians.  Some would say it is a race issue, but it cannot be that because black Bahamians exist in and support The FNM. Some would say it is a lack of adequate aptitude, but that cannot be the case because some of the brightest minds have been associated with the FNM. So what can it be that causes the FNM to time and time again decide against what is wise and Godly and support the upliftment of the poor? It certainly cannot be their leader, because he is a PLP, who like this Bill will be that from the cradle to the grave. And even he has taken on the look of that evil monster called insensitivity.

So, Mr. Speaker, what can it be so sinister that has caused the FNM from it’s inception to preach doom and gloom over any initiative that is brought forward to help the underprivileged and poor, those who make up the masses? Mr. Speaker, I can only conclude that it is the finances of those who have perennially supported the FNM, that has called and is still calling the shots as to what The FNM should support—and for the most part, the finances are doled out by the special interest, and ancient business giants of The Bahamas. Many of these are the persons who put more value in what is in their pockets as opposed to the value of human life. And these are the persons who would be opposed to a National Health Insurance Bill, because it calls for people to care for other people. And it calls for people to show that care by giving so generously of what they have.

Mr. Speaker, the FNM predicted failure over all of the initiatives that have moved The Bahamas forward and those national initiatives have succeeded. And this present initiative will also succeed.   The long over due delivery of the foundation for  national health insurance will become a reality at this level of the governance at the end of this debate and, Mr. Speaker, I predict that the introduction of National Health Insurance Scheme which is to follow will succeed because morally it is the right thing to do.

Our constitution describes The Bahamas as a Christian nation; if we are what we have declared ourselves to be then we must be our brothers’ keepers.  Those who are blessed and stay well must assist in paying for those who become sick plus the contribution from the Government.  Mr. Speaker that is the principle of Health Insurance put in the simplest terms.  Mr. Speaker, if the Lord allows, I will celebrate my 63rd birthday anniversary on December 25th.  I have been hospitalized on two occasions back to back, five days in Princess Margaret Hospital and five days at a hospital in Fort Lauderdale.  I was thought to have had pneumonia.  Whatever it was that I had disappeared and the record showed that my body healed itself because no medication was administered during my stay at the Fort Lauderdale hospital.

 Mr. Speaker, I have never claimed on National Insurance and I pray to God that I shall never have to.  I have no hesitation whatsoever in accepting that my contribution to National Insurance will assist other contributors who will require support from the fund.
NATIONAL INSURANCE 1972-1974

Mr. Speaker, it is said that history has a way of repeating its-self and that a leopard can not change its spots. I will use the factual story of the introduction of the National Insurance in 1972 and 1974 to make a nexus. For the benefit of the Bahamian public and members of this Honourable House I wish to provide a bit of background on the introduction of the National Insurance Bill which was passed in this House in 1972.  The record shows that all members present in the House voted for the Bill including opposition members Norman Solomon, Cleophas Adderley and Sir Roland Symonette, the father of the current Member for Montague, Brent Symonette. The FNM leader yesterday said that the FNM will vote for the Bill even though the always eager to speak FNM members were apparently directed to remain silence on this very important bill which will benefit their constituents. If time allows, I will say some more before I sit.

 Mr. Speaker as mentioned opposition members present voted for the Bill which provided the frame work for National Insurance in 1972 just like the Member for North Abaco says he and his members will do.  However, in 1974 when the National Insurance Regulations was debated in this place they were finally passed on a vote of 19 to 5. Two years later the Opposition had a change of heart they recoiled from their position of supporting the introduction of National Insurance.

 Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister, Lynden Pindling told House members on September 11, 1974 that the National Insurance Regulation was just “the foundation” for “a sound system of social justice for every Bahamian man and woman”.  The opposition, Free National Movement, while supporting the principle of a national insurance scheme, opposed its planned introduction on October 7, 1974 on the basis of its cost to businesses and workers in poor economic circumstances.   Prime Minister Pindling in seconding Labour and National Minister, Clifford L. Darling, moved for House approval of the regulations, said he was not surprised that “the biggest concern of the opposition is the effect on the employer”.  He said this was the FNM’s chance “to show whether you really have the interest of the grassroots at heart … or will you tell them ‘not now, later for you baby”.  Prime Minister Pindling charged that the FNM stands against the scheme’s introduction now reflected the possibility that “it may be they will not have the courage to oppose this resolution outright they may hide behind the pretext that it may be a good thing but the time is not right not now,” he said.

 Prime Minister Pindling said National Insurance was needed because “depending on the charity and goodwill of employers is not enough”, in such questions as payment of female workers during maternity leave.  Both Mr. Pindling and Mr. Darling cited the American situation to counter FNM arguments that high unemployment is a sure sign that the time is not right for National Insurance.  Social Security in the United States was introduced during “the worse period in American economic history,” Mr. Pindling said.  Mr. Darling pointed out that American social security was begun in 1935 during the depression when “millions were unemployed”.  “Today” Mr. Darling added “social security is a way of life for the American people, the same as National insurance will be a way of life for the Bahamian people.”  Mr. Darling charged that “the opposition is more concerned about the welfare of employers and businesses than about the protection and security of workers.”   The opposition “has a record of opposing any good legislation” he added.

Mr. Speaker, the FNM via its Secretary General, Clifford M Cooper, which was carried in the Tribune on Friday, September 6 1974, told the Bahamian people that “the PLP Government’s National Insurance scheme could precipitate an economic crisis if implemented in its present form.   Mr. Cooper also declared “the PLP Government fully intends to introduce income tax in the Bahamas by 1976, and it is true the gathering of preliminary information for this (National Insurance) that they will find out exactly what everybody earns”.  Mr. Cooper said that he and his party have gone over the National Insurance Scheme very carefully, and that there are many points which, the FNM feels, are not at all in the “best interest of the Bahamian people”.  “The Government has not told the people the truth” he declared “but the FNM will”.

Mr. Speaker, two rallies and a demonstration outside of the House of Assembly were held by the Free National Movement.  Picketers carried placards declaring “this is the first stage of income tax,” “death is the benefit”, “National Insurance is a big rip-off,” and “National Insurance today, no jobs tomorrow.”  The then Senator Orville Turnquest’s placard read “get them out before they wreck this country”.    I. G. Stubbs’ placard read “National Insurance, death is the benefit”.   Senator J. Henry Bostwick’s placard read:  “with no jobs and no food, you may not live to collect any benefit”.  At a rally held at Windsor Park on September 10, 1974, the then Senator Orville Turnquest charged that:  “the country is in greater peril than ever before in its history,” and the future of young people is “very gloomy” with “no hope under the PLP”.    Senator Turnquest went on to say that the Government had failed every Bahamian and, “it is high time that you, the people, change your course because under the present administration, the job of every Bahamian is in peril.  He went on to predict that by September 1975 many men will be begging.  Also speaking at the rally was Mr. Fred Ramsey who said that National Insurance “is a beautiful name for income tax”.  He predicted that income tax will bring more crime and unemployment.
FNM representative Noel Roberts asserted in this House on September 11, 1974 that employers should have been required to foot the whole of the bill for the National Insurance scheme.  His reasoning however appeared somewhat confused.  In one breath he noted that the employer would have found a way of staying in business by passing the charge on to the employees, and in the next breath warned that National Insurance would cause certain businesses to close down.
Mr. Speaker, the Chamber of Commerce on September 10th 1974 asked the Government to reconsider its October 7th target date for the start of National Insurance because 80% of Chamber members responding to a survey were opposed to its introduction at this time.

Mr. Speaker, in summary those were the profound considered views of the FNM during the introduction of National Insurance in 1974. Mr. Speaker, each and every predication by the FNM in 1974 were proven to be baseless, fruitless and without foundation. The PLP did not introduce income tax. National Insurance was a resounding success. Businesses did not close down. They were all a pack of lies with clear intent in mind, which was to put fear in the hearts and minds of the Bahamian people to discredit the PLP Government on its march to uplift the masses of the people. It clearly conveys that the FNM did not have the interest of the Bahamian people at heart.  They were selfish and lacked vision.

 Mr. Speaker, I believe the present FNM members are following the same road and script as their former members in this place in voting for the frame work Bill and will vote against the regulations when presented. Any suggestion that the FNM will be the Government to introduce the regulations can only be a figment of their imagination or as a dear friend would say a bad dream, another would say that they are jonsing for power.

So what has changed, Mr. Speaker?  Again I ask, Mr. Speaker, what has changed?  The FNM Government during their tenure of two consecutive terms had the opportunity to introduce National Health Insurance but they failed to do so. Perry Christie’s Government in its first term of office has introduce and will enact legislation for the frame work for National Health Insurance for the benefit of all Bahamians. May God continue to bless our great Leader and man of compassion who has a heart of gold.
A National Health Program for the United States: A Physicians' Proposal

Mr. Speaker, a universal National Health Insurance programme has eluded the Governments of the most powerful nation in the world, the United States of America for many years.  The debate on how it should be introduced, when it should be introduced etc. has been going on for a long time.  I wish to share with this Parliament some positions advanced by a group who have organized themselves under the name Physicians for a national health program in the United States.  This prestigious group of 14,000 physicians’ medical students and Health care professionals disclosed the following: Physicians for a National Health Program is a nonprofit organization of 14,000 physicians, medical students and health professionals who support single-payer national health insurance.
The U.S. spends twice as much as other industrialized nations on health care, $7,129 per capita. Yet our system performs poorly in comparison and still leaves 46 million without health coverage and millions more inadequately covered.

This is because private insurance bureaucracy and paperwork consume one-third (31 percent) of every health care dollar. Streamlining payment though a single nonprofit payer would save more than $350 billion per year, enough to provide comprehensive, high-quality coverage for all Americans.
We endorse a fundamental change in America's health care - the creation of a comprehensive National Health Insurance (NHI) Program. Such a program - which in essence would be an expanded and improved version of Medicare - would cover every American for all necessary medical care.

Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding that  much work lies ahead for the drafting of the regulations that will serve as the foundation for the National Health Insurance Scheme as was the case with National Insurance. There are many model around the world from which we can draw. National Health Insurance has worked in the best interest of many countries around the globe. We must draw from these successful fonts of knowledge selection what is best for the Bahamas. We must be very careful to avoid the importing the acknowledged unacceptable practice in the USA of the private insurance bureaucracy and paperwork consuming one-third (31 percent) of every health care dollar. Bahamian Physicians the vast majority who were educated at the expense of the Public Treasury have a very serious obligation to contributing to evolution of the best model for our young nation. Time, been of the essence. I am satisfied that your consciences will not allow you to do other wise. The people of this land were pleased to have contributed to making it possible for your becoming the Big Men and Women you are.

In conclusion Mr. Speaker, for the first time in my almost 25 years as a member of this Honourable and ancient house that I am aware of members been directed by a leader of a political party for its members not to make a contribution to Bill which will touch the lives of all Bahamians. They may say that this is what they agreed. For my part I refused to accept that as certain members opposite told the press that they were eager to debate the bill. Reasonable men and women will draw the same conclusion that is absolutely incredible that grown men continue to allow themselves to be dominated by one man. It is a shame and disgrace. The minimum leader will speak for all of us. Ms. Speaker, can you image grown men allowing themselves to be muzzled, to be gagged, not been allowed to speak for their constituents. Why should voters vote for persons who refused to speak on their behalf? If National Hero Clarence Bain was here, he would say: My GOD what has taken hold of these men.
Minister Speaker, again on behalf of the faithful and loyal people of Bain and Grants Town I am delighted to support the NHI Bill.