The Opposition have called on Government to review its FutureCare programme, saying seniors will not be able to afford it.

Shadow Health Minister Louise Jackson also labelled the healthcare scheme as "not workable and discriminatory".

Mrs. Jackson said: "We are calling on Government to withdraw and redesign this programme, and put in place a plan that is affordable and non-discriminatory.

"FutureCare is not workable and defies the human right of the aged. Seniors can't afford to pay it."

In the Budget, Government announced the second phase of the healthcare plan would be open to 5,471 seniors at $600 a month.

Anyone over 70 or who turns 65 this fiscal year will be eligible to enrol for FutureCare, which includes $2,000 worth of prescriptions, unlimited physician visits, vision and dental care, plus overseas healthcare.

Last year, 2,681 seniors joined the first phase at a cost of $260 a month compared to $241 for the state Health Insurance Plan (HIP).

Phase One was restricted to those 65 and over already in HIP, anyone turning 65 after January 1, 2009, and persons 65 and over deemed to be "indigent".

This year, their premium will rise to $300.

Mrs. Jackson said yesterday: "This Government are again assuming that seniors are old and stupid, that they do not understand they are being discriminated against and treated unfairly.

"The Premier made a promise in 2007 to guarantee seniors healthcare for the rest of their lives. But this has been an empty, broken promise.

"The second phase of FutureCare has a premium of $600 a month, in contrast to the first phase which was $260 a month. Now that premium has gone up to $300, a jump of 20 percent after the first year. Seniors can't afford this."

She said: "The (Health) Minister Walter Roban has said the $600 premium is 'reasonable'. He also said 'sustainability' of FutureCare was key to their decision-making a sign that, in light of the $600 premium, the programme is already over-stretching Government's resources.

"The United Bermuda Party warned the FutureCare plan was financially unsound and could bankrupt the country. We projected that taxpayers in 20 years could be facing a FutureCare bill of $1 billion a year."

However on Friday, Mr. Roban said the differences between the Phase One and Phase Two payments would prevent FutureCare from bankrupting the Island.

He said most seniors in the first phase were enrolled in HIP so were unable to afford private healthcare. In contrast, many of those in the second phase would already be paying $1,000-plus for private coverage and so would be more likely to afford a $600 premium.

"We spent a lot of time deciding on the premiums to ensure that the cost is not going to be too much," he said.

"We feel that $600 is reasonable, especially when compared to the private sector."

Phase Three of FutureCare starts next April, for seniors aged 60-69. The premium has yet to be ascertained.

A bad Budget – Editorial