Government may have scrapped the National Health Plan that was expected, but a Bermuda Health Plan has been proposed for the fresh sitting of Parliament.

Health Minister Jeanne Atherden had made brief reference to the plan in September. In today’s Throne Speech, Governor George Fergusson said that it would go ahead.

The Bermuda Health Council has warned repeatedly of “unsustainable” year-on-year increases in the Island’s health costs.

Mr Fergusson said the Plan would put prior healthcare proposals “in the context of today’s economic climate and re-prioritise health system goals”.

He added: “The purpose of the Bermuda Health Plan is to provide a strategic approach to improve equity, quality and sustainability of our health system.”

The speech echoed the National Health Plan that was proposed under the former Progressive Labour Party Government, with the motto of “Healthy People in Healthy Communities”.

The Bermuda Health Plan will entail a review of Government’s hospital subsidy to give universal access to healthcare, Mr Fergusson said, as well as expanding the Standard Hospital Benefit.

The Standard Hospital Benefit package covers most of the Island’s population. At present, it covers all hospitalisation costs and about one third of medically necessary services.

Strategies addressing the health needs of seniors and the disabled were promised, plus health promotion programmes aimed at bringing about healthier lifestyles.

The NHP was put on hold pending a review in March of last year. It had been billed as delivering universal healthcare by this year.