Health Minster Walter Roban said budget pressures would not impact Government's health care plan, FutureCare.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday the Minister declined to comment on who would be eligible for the second phase of FutureCare, which launches April 1.

So far approximately 30 percent of the Island's senior population is on the wide-ranging Government health coverage scheme for the elderly. But he did say: "As soon as the budget is presented in February we will be able to say more."

When asked if any budget cuts would impact FutureCare he said: "No." And he added that it had not impacted plans for phase two.

The Minister also announced that 83 seniors have joined Government's Hospital Insurance Plan (HIP) since January 4. The plan was reopened after several private insurers ceased to offer affordable health coverage to seniors in the wake of Government implementing it's wide-ranging affordable plan FutureCare.

Some voiced concern that seniors were falling between the gaps and had found themself ineligible for the first phase of FutureCare, unable to afford the private coverage and prevented from joining HIP, which had been closed to seniors once FutureCare was launched.

The move by private companies was condemned by Health Minister Walter Roban and it was decided that the basic health coverage, HIP, would be reopened. However, the Government had to wait until the next Parliamentary session shortly before Christmas last year to pass the necessary legislation.

Yesterday, Minister Roban said: "We are extremely pleased to be able to assist these persons who in some cases found themselves not having an affordable insurance plan and in other cases, may be dropping more expensive options to take up HIP."

And he noted that contrary to what critics have said there has not been a rush by hundreds of seniors to join HIP. It is not known if the 83 seniors now on HIP will be accepted into the second phase of FutureCare in April.