The new health initiative FutureCare was outlined in the Senate on Friday by Junior Minister of Health Senator Thaao Dill.

Sen. Dill said that the paramount concern on the Ministry's agenda was senior citizens, noting that initially FutureCare benefits will go to all seniors but currently it is only offered to HIP recipients.

Sen. Dill said: "A key policy priority is to provide affordable health care for our senior citizens. The Government believes that a fair society is one that takes care of the need of all.

"Now, the long term plan is to expand FutureCare, over time to cover all seniors, as opposed to just those who are enrolled in HIP.

"However, the global economic climate forced us to consider how to deliver this revolutionary plan in the most fiscally sensible way possible while taking care of those who had the greatest need, and at the same time not adversely affecting seniors or the general community.

"Clearly, a delicate balance was sought and a successful management of those goals was achieved with this legislation specifically and the FutureCare plan generally."

Independent Senator Joan Dillas-Wright welcomed the legislation saying it has been a major concern for the elderly.

Opposition Senator Jeanne Atherden said although it seemed to be a good plan, she said she wanted more clarification on the specifics of the implementation.

Sen. Dill reiterated the specifics of the legislation stating that senior citizens will pay $60 more per month for more benefits.

FutureCare will cover 75 percent of the services received such as unlimited physician visits, versus the four they got under HIP, $2,000 per year for prescription drugs, under HIP it was $1,200, a vision care benefit up to $250 per year, physicians getting higher reimbursement for FutureCare clients versus HIP clients.