A law allowing Government to launch its FutureCare health insurance scheme for seniors was approved by MPs this week.

The Health Insurance Amendment Act 2009 was passed in the House of Assembly on Wednesday despite complaints from the Opposition that it was being rushed through and did not contain enough detail.

Health Minister Nelson Bascome described the FutureCare scheme as a "historic landmark for this country" and said it would specifically meet the needs of the Island's elderly, many of whom would need to pay more than $700 a month for private insurance in Bermuda if they wanted major medical care.

He said Government would pick up 75 percent of the cost of the insurance, with the senior paying the rest i.e. a $260 monthly premium. The Minister said it was slightly more expensive than HIP (Health Insurance Plan) but the benefits would include:

*Unlimited physician visits;

*Significantly increased prescription drug benefit;

*Home nursing care;

*Preventive services;

*Overseas care coverage;

*A co-pay in the region of 25 percent for most services.

Mr. Bascome said in the first year of the scheme it would be restricted to those people 65 and over presently in HIP, anyone turning 65 after January 1 this year and persons aged 65 and over who were deemed to be "indigent".

He said: "As of April 1, 2009, there will be no HIP for persons 65 years of age and over. FutureCare will be able to grow over time, both in the number of seniors who can be on the plan and also in relation to the benefits it will offer."

Shadow Health and Seniors Minister Louise Jackson said the "very, very significant piece of legislation" was only given to Opposition MPs last Friday, giving them little time to digest its contents.

"It's too important to be rushed through," she said, adding that this was the first time she and her party — and the general public — had been told what benefits would be included under FutureCare. "What they have done is to rush into a debate," she said. "It's so vague. Critical details are missing."

She added: "As usual, I really shouldn't be surprised but [there is] no plan in sight. This is far too important for any kind of half-baked plan they might have come out with."

Shadow Education Minister Grant Gibbons said MPs were being asked to write out a blank cheque. "We simply don't know, in real terms, what we are agreeing to tonight," he warned.

The Opposition MP pointed out the total monthly cost of FutureCare would be more than $1,000 - with taxpayers shelling out for three-quarters of it. He calculated that the scheme could result in some $30 million worth of claims a year and questioned how that would be funded.

"We have serious concerns about what seniors are facing but also serious concerns about what the rest of the community may have to do to shoulder this," he said.

Mr. Bascome said a publicity campaign explaining the FutureCare initiative was soon to be launched.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Bascome told the House that the initiative would start next month.

He said Government was aware of the economic climate but it was important to start implementing FutureCare as promised in the PLP's 2007 election manifesto.

The Health Minister also detailed plans by the Bermuda College to offer Bachelor's degrees in nursing.

He said of the initiative detailed in the 2009 Budget: "This year the first cohort of trainees for the Bermuda Certified Nursing Assistant Programme began their studies. This is an accredited qualification for people to become nursing assistants.

"Additionally, this year the Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) director of Nursing was seconded to the Bermuda College to establish a nursing pathway that will enable Bermudians to undertake nursing qualifications up to Bachelor's degree level."

According to the Health Minister, the first group is expected to embark upon the programme this year.