Opposition Leader Kim Swan has defended Shadow Health Minister Louise Jackson after Health Minister Walter Roban said she was confused on FutureCare.

He said: "We consider his words to be code invoking the worst kind of age bias stereotyping. This is not the first time the Minister has used the term and while we gave him the benefit of the doubt before, the reuse of it confirms that Minister Walter Roban is a practitioner of ageism.

"The Minister's coded language is not just insulting but also contains a message of prejudice that our society should regard as intolerable. Moreover, as Minister of Health overseeing the care of the elderly across the island, Mr. Roban's offence is even more unacceptable.

Mr. Swan continued: "Intemperate, harsh language, which has been coming from all ranks of the government, must cease. It intimidates people, inhibits the free-flow of ideas and hurts public morale.

"For the record, Mr. Roban was attacking Mrs. Jackson's statement that FutureCare could cost Bermuda up to $1 billion a year. That is the number we calculated based on health care cost and population trends over the next 20 years.

"The issues surrounding FutureCare are serious, from its discriminatory rollout to its sustainability over time. We urge the Minister and his colleagues to focus on these issues and stop the name calling. Put Bermuda first, stop the negative politics."