The Bermuda Budget will allocate $15 million towards healthcare for low-income seniors.

A preview into tomorrow’s statement showed cash directed at FutureCare premium subsidies, aimed at assisting older residents.

This expanded support, according to a government spokeswoman, was in line with the Tax Reform Commission’s recommendations.

She added: “We encourage readers to tune in on Budget Day live via the Government's Facebook and YouTube platforms to learn more about the full package, including how these measures will be implemented.”

FutureCare faced a significant increase that was outlined in the House of Assembly last December, which expanded coverage from $3,000 annually to $5,000 annually.

FutureCare and Health Insurance Policy holders have also had access to Personal Home Care benefits, which included one free annual health exam and expanded prescription drug coverage, since January.

The figure for seniors’ coverage is half of what the Tax Reform Commission proposed in its report last year, however.

The commission recommended $30 million extra to cover up to 4,500 participants, representing approximately 30 per cent of the estimated population of seniors.

It added: “A senior without other income sources, receiving the maximum monthly payment from the contributory pension plan, receives $1,752 per month.

“Paying the FutureCare premium of $530.14, they spend 30.26 per cent of their income on healthcare.”

The Government also said at the time that it would put two other commission proposals for health insurance under review.

These were Health Insurance Plan benefits for underinsured people and a low-income healthcare subsidy for families falling below the prescribed household income threshold.