Progressive Labour Party candidate charged yesterday.

Dr. Ewart Brown said the review announced by Health and Social Services Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness should have been announced in 1989, when there were news reports about spiralling health care costs.

"In that sense it is long overdue,'' said Dr. Brown, who is challenging Mr.

Edness in Warwick West.

But there would be a change of Government after the October 5 general election, and the review was "therefore premature,'' he said at a news conference.

On Tuesday, Mr. Edness named Belco president and chief executive officer Mr.

Alf Oughton to chair a wide-ranging probe into Bermuda's health care system.

Mr. Nelson Bascome, the PLP's Shadow Health and Social Services Minister and a candidate in Pembroke East, said he supposed the need for the review "arose just recently with the election call.

"It is curious that a UBP Government, after two decades in power, at this last-ditch stage is instituting yet another committee, this time to study the health care system,'' Mr. Bascome said.

The PLP would investigate "a system of managed health care,'' with emphasis on the Government sector. It would cut costs while broadening health insurance to cover substance abuse treatment, prescription drugs, and other services, Mr. Bascome said.

While supporting the review, the National Liberal Party also had criticisms.

NLP Health and Environment spokesman Ms Cheryl Pooley said someone with health care expertise should chair the committee. She also was worried about health insurance companies "charging astronomical prices.'' There was "a conflict of interest'' because many UBP supporters owned shares in insurance companies.

Mr. Edness said Bermuda's health system was working well, and "the Government in setting up this review at this time is using foresight.'' OCTOBER 1993 ELECTION