The Premier yesterday unveiled two measures to alleviate the financial burden on senior citizens.

Speaking at a meeting with the Bermuda Senior Islanders group, Dr. Ewart Brown pledged to make healthcare more comprehensive and affordable for the older generation.

He also announced that seniors will no longer have to pay the annual TCD driver’s licence renewal fee.

The Premier said that Government is drawing up a scheme to give seniors assistance to help them attain higher quality healthcare.

Currently there is a gap in coverage for those over the age of 65. Thirty days after retirees turn 65 they are no longer well insured. This forces most to dip into their own limited resources in order to buy coverage above the basic level provided by the Government’s Hospital Insurance Plan (HIP).

The Premier’s initiative — being developed with Acting Health Minister Phil Perinchief — would do away with basic healthcare coverage and provide retirees with a more comprehensive insurance coverage. Dr. Brown said: “This programme will treat you with the same services that you get when you are working.”

To pay for the programme, Dr. Brown and Mr. Perinchief are to explore a scheme whereby the 20-64-year-old workforce pays slightly more so they can have better healthcare when they retire.

The Premier said: “All that is required of the workforce is a nominal surcharge. It would be barely noticeable.

“And the math is simple: you work now and get covered later. The future is paid for by the present. We’re working out the numbers, but it looks very possible, very do-able.”

He told the meeting: “We will have people pay into the system when they are young. For every month, every year that you are in the workforce, you will be covered a certain amount of months or years after you are 65.”

Mr. Perinchief said: “This program will put a stop to seniors receiving just basic care. Healthcare should not reduce in quality during the years it is needed most. This new plan ensures the health of retirees is covered just as comprehensively as the rest of us. It’s clear to me that this is something our seniors are worthy of, they have already paid their share and done their part for our community.”

Dr. Brown also said that as from 2008, Bermudians over-65 will no longer have to pay the annual driver’s licence renewal fee at the TCD.

The Premier said: “This new policy is one way this Government is seeking to give seniors the financial relief they need and deserve.”

The measures were announced at a meeting at Admiralty House, Spanish Point, to highlight the annual Senior Citizens Tea this Sunday.

The Premier’s Tea, held at the Botanical Gardens, marks the start of Senior Citizens’ Week, and will be hosted by Dr. Brown and his wife Wanda. More than 1,000 seniors are expected to attend the event, in the Main Show Ring from 3 p.m.

This year’s Senior Citizens Week has the theme ‘Elders Moving Upward Talented and Excellent’. Other events include a Seniors’ Talent Show, concert, craft exhibition and fashion show, annual picnic and church services.