As a coalition of private sector interests, we support the concept of universal access to healthcare, with financial risk protection for all citizens. Key elements of such a system are:
Equal access to a basic level of medical services for everyone
No significant direct payments at the point of delivery
A mechanism for pooling risks to avoid catastrophic spending and impoverishment
The Bahamas currently has a mixed healthcare system. More than half the population is covered by private insurance, which pays for private medical services at home and abroad. The public system provides free healthcare to indigents, prisoners, civil servants, pensioners and others. Public sector charges to those who are ineligible for free care are low. Rather than risking economic dislocation through an ill-considered takeover of the private healthcare sector, the government should focus its limited resources and attention on the uninsured, and collaborate with the private sector to achieve the best outcome for the country. Ideally, the goal would be a regulated, multi-payer, universal health insurance system, with no exclusions for pre-existing conditions.
