Kim Wilson, the Minister of Health, commented this evening on the Bermuda Medical Doctors’ Association’s reservations on proposed healthcare reforms.

The group earlier warned that the Bermuda Health Plan could reduce quality of service even as it reined in costs.

A statement follows:

Minister Wilson said, “The Ministry of Health remains fully committed to continuing the dialogue with physicians and other healthcare providers on health financing reform, as well as with all other health system stakeholders. Discussions are ongoing and there is increased appreciation that they represent meaningful dialogue to build solutions together.

“The Bermuda Medical Doctors’ Association (BMDA) statement reported in the media reflects both the shared interest in putting patients first, and the mutual desire to continue dialogue.

“The Ministry has been made aware of BMDA’s position with respect to the Government’s decision to adopt a unified model of health financing. Their concerns are important and will inform the consultation and development of a transition road map to phase reforms gradually and avoid unintended consequences.”

“A BMDA representative was appointed to the Health Financing Reform Stakeholder Consultation Group in September 2018.

“On appointment all representatives in the Group received information on the task and were invited to access more information, meetings and presentations to explain the options and gather their constituents feedback and views.

“As described in the Health Financing Stakeholder Consultation Group Report, four meeting were held with the large Group plus another four with individual stakeholders between September and October 2018.

“The Ministry of Health is aware that BMDA invited physicians to participate in a survey to get their feedback on the questions posed. Six physicians responded to the survey.

“The Ministry of Health included notices and stories of the health financing reform consultation in its quarterly Vital Signs Newsletters which is sent to stakeholders, including physicians, in September 2018 and December 2018. All stories referred readers to the information on the Ministry of Health webpages.

“In December 2018 the draft report was shared with the Stakeholder Consultation Group for their comment and input. Subsequently, the report was finalised and published in August 2019.”

The Health Financing Stakeholder Consultation Group Report can be found at www.gov.bm/healthplan.