Committed to improving

March 26, 2008

Dear Sir,

In recent months, several articles have appeared in this paper regarding members of the public and physicians who have outstanding claims related to the Government Health Insurance Plan (HIP). It is no secret that there has been a backlog of claims related to HIP for a number of years.

That backlog includes individual claims from persons who pay their medical bills themselves, physicians, laboratories, pharmacies and overseas portability claims (claims for persons who are required to go overseas for hospital treatment).

Approximately one year ago, the Department of Social Insurance began a process to address that backlog of claims. It has been a monumental task and had to be carried out whilst also dealing with the current claims that were coming into the office.

As a first step in the process, it was determined to tackle the organization with the greatest volume of claims. This was the Bermuda Hospitals Board. A target was set and met to bring the BHB to a point of 30 day turnaround on their claims.

Simultaneously, work was undertaken to address outstanding claims regarding individuals, physicians, laboratories, pharmacies and overseas portability. Temporary resources were devoted to this effort whilst also ensuring that new claims did not become part of the longstanding problem.

There has been significant improvement to our claims processing turnaround times although we still have small pockets of claims from prior to 2007-08 that we are addressing. We have implemented an interim automated off the shelf system to assist with claims processing and have Cabinet approval to select a vendor for the implementation of the long term automated system. Individual, pharmacy and overseas portability claims are now being met within a 60 day window.

Physician and laboratory claims are a far cry from where they were a year ago but we readily admit that we are not consistently turning them around in an acceptable timeframe. Our goal is to get all payments out within a 30 – 60 day period. We are making good and steady progress. However, we will not rest until we consistently accomplish a 30 – 60 day turnaround of all claims.

Every day brings us closer to this goal. Staff are working diligently towards this end and they have my thanks for their efforts to date. We make no excuses and seek no special dispensation from the public. We simply wish to let them know that we take this matter seriously, we are committed to improving the service we offer and ask them to make contact with us if they have concerns about that service.

WARREN W. JONES

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health

Eloquence and honesty

March 19, 2008

Dear Sir,

Yesterday, Barack Obama delivered a speech that was an awesome and daring break from the tired and conventional trains of thought that usually run through the halls of American politics. It was a speech full of eloquence and honesty. It wasn't on the same level as speeches by other great orators; I suppose those were different times but it has grown a life of its own on the Internet. The online news media has posted the speech in full (to me I'd say that's a blatant endorsement) and people are sending it to friends, posting it up on blogs and forums and linking to it. The full video of it has wound up on YouTube and has been viewed 1.2 million times in only 24 hours!

The speech was Mr. Obama's first full-fledged comment on the issue of race. He has so far largely stayed away from that discussion, staying focused on other issues but over the last week he couldn't avoid it any more and so yesterday he had to respond. Basically, he responded to the strong statements that his pastor gave at a service which don't have to be repeated here. His choice of words was entirely remarkable and so were the extra points he gave.

Many of these points are points that so many in Bermuda have been speaking up about for so long – and rightfully so! He spoke of black anger and white resentment and their roots. It's something that so many people can't shake nor can they understand the other. It's potentially where Bermuda is right now.

But not only did he demonstrate these two observations, but he flipped the script unlike anyone else has ever done or at least I've ever seen. He talked about the new struggles and achievements that each race is dealing with and celebrating. He didn't mince words. He acknowledged the pain of white people losing their homes, their jobs, their pensions. Then he talked about the successes of the black community.

He didn't shy away from the history of slavery and Jim Crow but he didn't stay there for too long languishing in a pool of anger. His text was progressive and aimed at anyone wanting to see a country united. I'm sure he picked up new supporters in the space of his 37-minute speech which was called "A More Perfect Union". And just how perfect is that title anyway?

In the space of those 37 minutes, he bridged more gaps than most politicians will ever do in their political careers. He made so many connections between us all I swear it was like watching an octopus outstretched. Sure he could have just said: "I'm this kind of person and you better get use to it. Anyone who goes against me, does so at their own peril". No. Instead he's inviting people from across the hall from him and saying, "we can't let this divide us. We have to move forward with it so let's talk about it because we're in the same boat."

At the same time he's recognising the others' struggles and willing to help. He's saying: "Look, I know you're having a hard time so let's come to a solution." I suppose it would explain the unprecedented support the man is having. Even Republican voters are on board with him! I'm sure there's a lesson to be learned there.

Bermuda's politicians claim to reach out but it's not like this guy and not to that extent. I hate to say this but Bermuda doesn't have anything near what this man is offering in terms of political courage. There are too many politicians in Bermuda who selectively choose to see things a certain way and ignore the other things.

Maybe it's ego, maybe it's special interests or maybe it's because they just don't care. Basically what he's done is what no politician in Bermuda on either side of the house right now would ever dare do. Unfortunately, that's not good enough.

The Bermudian public has been asked to look inwards and to learn and understand the hard truths of living with others which is important and we have to do this. It hasn't been done before but the structure doesn't appear to go far enough.

What I believe, however, is that our elected officials should be doing the exact same thing. Practise what you preach, they say. If all of Bermuda's politicians did that, I wouldn't feel like I was wasting my vote and my time every time I entered a voting booth. Plus we'd a lot further ahead than where we are right now.

MILTON RAPOSO

Smith's

The hate brigade

March 21, 2008

Dear Sir,

What saddens me the most about the current 'hate' situation in Bermuda (front page of the Mid Ocean News, March 20) is that, here we are: An island filled with the educated, privileged, intelligent and enlightened, yet we may be allowing the www.bermuda-journal.com 'hate' brigade to infiltrate into our consciousness, into our thought processes? Should we not see this 'blog' as a brainwashing tactic to breed negativity and hatred?

I cannot quite believe what I read, but, it appears that there is an outcry against – every resident of Bermuda's – Freedom of Speech / Right to Know. Please tell me this is not so.

Is this status quo not what we all have been fighting for all these years? Pray tell me: why, in God's name, would we now be questioning or refuting everything our predecessors have fought, struggled, even died, for, and now, it would appear, be labelling the right to know as a racial slur (in a nutshell: expat journalists vs Governmental supporters? Am I wrong?

This begs the question, well, what are you trying to hide?

And there's the rub. Call them (the 'Limey racists') brainwashed. Call them out of touch with the reality of the suffering, the degradation, the cruelty, the outrageous injustices and the unacceptable, unforgettable, horrible and inhumane treatment 'black' humankind has received from the hands of 'white' humankind historically. Call them Limeys. Hey, and maybe Limeys do stink but Limeys don't, with respect, resort to Chanel or Car fresheners to conceal the odour.

The reality is this. Humankind has suffered for centuries at the hands of our own: ie humankind. Exploitation, abuse, and suffering.

The Romans slaughtered the Celtics, the Druids, the Christians. The Monarchs/ the 'Church' controlled and slaughtered the scholars, the outspoken, the reformists. The Christians/Lutherans/Nazis slaughtered the Jews, the gypsies, the handicapped. The Communists slaughtered the Monarchists, the academics, the Political activists.

Countries/continents have killed their own in Civil War. The Americans have killed how many thousands in their desire to control and retain world power for the so called common 'good'. The power-crazed African Tribal leaders are still controlling, mutilating, killing the masses. It goes on, and on.

So. pray tell, what is it about the black Bermudian human rights abuse that is impossible to forgive and move on from? How do the memories get healed? Should the Limeys, adopt the so called white-supremacist catch-phrase of the day: 'Get over it'

You know what, 'Limeys' never will adopt this mentality. And do you know why? Because there is an element of compassion to the freedom of speech/right to information method expected that every Bermudian with a conscience is aware of. The method is simple: every humankind has a right to know what is going on. Regardless of colour, creed, gender, age, political affiliation, sexual preference: regardless of environmental consciousness, global poverty and hunger concern, arms disarmament objection, human rights questions: we all have a right to know. Without prejudice.

So, correct me if I am wrong, but I do actually smell a fish. Is vindication and payback the desire? To see the 'white' man suffer in the way the 'black' man has suffered over the years? If you, the hate-minority, wish for payback, is the concealment of government documents part of the method?

It is hard to forgive. But it is possible. Firstly, educate yourselves: humankind – black and white – has suffered for centuries. Secondly: educate yourselves even more, and open your minds to the positive method that the media (Limey or otherwise) is taking which provides only the perfect vehicle to learn from, utilise and even capitalise from, if you so choose.

I say: wear yellow with pride. We, humankind, should unite in our desire to bring equality, peace and harmony to this planet. Our right to speak freely and be informed is just the beginning. Listen not to the troublemongers with their hate blogs. Listen instead to your hearts which should never be affected by the hatred that exists within only the ignorant and power hungry minority.

E. RUTH KEMPE

Pembroke

Where's the action?

March 24, 2008

Dear Sir,

It has been 306 days since the Causeway was reduced to single-lane traffic on May 23rd last year. During this same time period absolutely nothing has been done with the old portion of the bridge which is clearly getting rustier and weaker as the days tick by. Is Government just waiting for it to collapse into the ocean, thereby avoiding the cost of dismantling it?

Last summer the Government announced that the second bridge was 'temporary', but perhaps they need to check the definition of temporary, as this bridge will clearly be the main connection between St. George's and the rest of the Island for the foreseeable future.

While on the topic of St. George's, it has been approximately 125 days since the 'Hustle Truck' came along and gutted the police station in November of last year. Perhaps the completion of this project will coincide with the official opening of the new bridge in the year 2012?

KENT SMITH

St. George's

There were other teams

March 19, 2008

Dear Sir,

As parents of a student participant, I have read with interest your coverage of the 23rd Annual School Quiz Competition. Semi-final knockout competitions were held on Tuesday and Thursday night (the 11th and 13th March) but you only reported on the Tuesday night competition in Friday's paper.

What happened to the teams which competed on Thursday? Were they not worthy of being acknowledged for their hard work too? Also, five teams competed in the finals but you only reported on four, leaving out Sandys Secondary Middle School. The Mount St. Agnes Team did an outstanding job, but there were three other teams which placed and won prizes for their team-members and schools.

All of the students and coaches for each school represented worked very hard preparing for this competition, spending many hours after school and on the weekends studying and I think you did them a disservice by not acknowledging that fact.

Congratulations to Competing Teams:

Mount St. Agnes (1st place), The Berkeley Institute (2nd place), Dellwood Middle School (3rd place), Sandys Secondary Middle School (4th place), Whitney Institute (finalist) and Somersfield Academy (semifinals).

ARCHER AND DIANE HILL

Hamilton Parish

Editor's Note: Due to an editorial error, Sandys was omitted from the report on the final. We apologise for the error.

PATI questions

March 24, 2008

Dear Sir,

On the morning of March 24 you were on the Thaao Dill HOTT 1075 show. I called in early to ask two questions, and then said I'd listen off the air. I was racing to make work on time and thought the answers were coming right after I asked the questions, but that would be a miracle on Thaao's Show now – these days, it's taped a lot. As I don't know if the questions were answered here are the two again.

1, What is the difference between what information Government put out now to what PATI supporters want?

2. How should the information PATI supporters want be put out to the public; on CITV, websites, flyers, etc.? Thanks for those two answers.

The Cayman Islands just passed a PATI law. Former Premier Scott had this issue spoken of during his time. Did he feel his days were numbered so he went for this PATI? Some time after that Premier Brown was voted in as the new PLP Leader. Was the former Premier taking the desires of PATI to Cabinet from the present PATI supporters back then?

The Gazette, along with other newspapers print much of what is said in Parliament, plus the radio station FM 105.1 (1230 kHz before) does live broadcasts Parliamentary debates Do the PATI supporters feel the media publicising is not good enough? Is it that PATI supporters find it a challenge to approach the current PLP Ministers in person so want information available by other means?

As you can tell I'm not understanding of why PATI supporters want this as law, if that's the right word to use, and I'd like the supporters answers. The Royal Gazette seems to be the main spokesperson for PATI.

ROGER LAMBERT

Sandys

Honour my grandfather

March 24, 2008

Dear Sir,

I write to second Alan Gamble's excellent idea of proposing both Sir Henry Tucker and Dame Lois Browne Evans as Bermuda's two first heroes for official recognition. I'm sure we can all appreciate the irony of this pairing, but nonetheless in 2008 it seems entirely appropriate and I believe would go a long way in helping us accept that no one party (or race) is all good or all bad, that at the end of the day we are all Bermudians, black, white, UBP or PLP. And generally we all want what's best for our country.

Sir Henry (or Jackie Boy as we called him) was my grandfather – and he also raised me and my brothers and sister, from the time I was four years old onwards. So at the same time that he was Government Leader and manager of the Bank of Bermuda, and all the other wonderful things that he was, he was also responsible for raising a second family.

We were Sir Henry's "wild" grandchildren so I have to admit we didn't make it easy on him or my grandmother. We probably took a few years off of them both, but we also put some quality time on as well – we kept them "young". You'd be surprised what Jackie Boy knew about the younger generation back then!

He took us in because we were family – that's what grandparents do when they have to. We certainly weren't the first Bermudian kids to be raised by our grandparents, or the last, but those are our country's true (and mostly unsung) heroes.

So I realise it may seem like an unusual request but I ask the Government to seriously consider Mr. Gamble's suggestion.

JAMES TUCKER

Paget