Two conferences tackling health finance issues conferences are to be held next week.They follow on the release of a final version of Bermuda’s National Health Plan earlier this month.The Health Financing Summit on November 21 is an invitation-only chance for local stakeholders to address issues in the National Health Plan, while the Sixth Caribbean Conference on Health Financing Initiatives, running from November 22 through 24, is billed as a “Caribbean-inclusive conference” on regional issues of national health financing.Both events, hosted by the Ministry of Health and the Bermuda Health Council, will convene at Rosewood Tucker’s Point.The Health Financing Summit will mark the first time that all the National Health Plan task groups have sat down together to discuss implementing the strategy, which aims to provide universal health coverage for Bermuda residents by 2014.“In order to make progress on the National Health Plan reforms, it is essential to do so in partnership with a broad range of community stakeholders,” Health Minister Zane DeSilva said.“It is essential that everyone work from the same, shared platform, which will be facilitated through the speakers at the HFS.”The summit will include guest speakers from the Pan American Health Organization and the Harvard School of Public Health.The Caribbean Conference, Mr DeSilva said, has provided ideas in the past on issues of overseas claims, the benefits of more advanced primary healthcare, healthcare fraud, and the protective aspects of reinsurance.It will also give a boost for local tourism, the Minister added.“This conference plays its small part towards injecting a quality event into the conference sector of the hospitality industry, while showcasing Bermuda’s healthcare system to all our Caribbean counterparts. In particular, it helps to highlight the successes and learning opportunities of the Social Health Insurance model that has been in place in Bermuda since 1970.”Highlighted excerpts are to be aired on Government’s CITV channel following the close of the two conferences.