Wealthy people should expect to do the humane thing and pay more for their healthcare, according to Health Minister Zane DeSilva.The Minister suggested richer people will face higher premiums as Government searches for a way to ensure those on the poverty line don’t miss out on first class healthcare.Mr DeSilva told The Royal Gazette how task groups working on the new National Health Plan will address fears over Bermuda’s ability to cope with spiralling healthcare costs.“We that make good money in this Country have to feel a little bit better about ourselves if we contribute a bit more,” said the Minister. “In other words, if my mother is diagnosed with cancer, I can throw all sorts of dollars at it because I can. If Mrs Smith, living on the poverty line, has cancer, should it be the death knell for her because she can’t throw money at it?“Why should my mother be any different to Mrs Smith? If you are diagnosed with cancer, you should have accessibility to first class care. As a Country, we have to try our best to give everyone the best opportunity to the best healthcare we have.”Asked how wealthy people would react to being told they have to pay a greater share, Mr DeSilva said: “They have said it already: ‘Why should I pay for that guy, why should I pay for that person?’“I say it’s humane. If I’m a wealthy person, and you say to me, ‘your premium is $100 next month, it will be $200 in future, but this is going to give more people a better opportunity to get more good healthcare,’ if I can afford it, why not?”The National Health Plan was released earlier this week after being amended to take into account feedback following public consultation.It aims to ensure 100 percent of residents are provided with basic and essential healthcare in 2013, making healthcare more affordable and improving access and quality care.Critics including the Opposition One Bermuda Alliance have expressed concern over how rising costs can be met.Mr DeSilva said yesterday: “We are all concerned about how it’s going to be paid for.“At the end of the day, our system costs $628 million a year at present. If that increases by eight or ten percent a year, then we have to do something. The option for doing nothing at all is not an option. “Who’s going to pay for it is the big question, especially among businesses.“We all pay for it now, whether through land tax, licence tax, payroll tax; it all goes into the pot. Whatever shortfall we have got, Government makes it up. Our subsidy for the hospital is $100 million a year because we can’t turn anyone away. Add ten percent to that, and if we keep on going at that rate, we are doomed.”A finance task group will now be working on the project, he said.Former Shadow Health Minister Kathy Michelmore, of the OBA, stated on Facebook yesterday: “Universal access is a laudable and necessary goal, but how will this be achieved?““It is not yet clear how financing of universal healthcare is to be structured, and this will be the key piece in the puzzle.“Equity has been highlighted as a core value, and has been defined as ‘equal access to basic healthcare and proportional financial burden’. Contributions to healthcare financing shall be based on ability to pay.“All of Bermuda needs to follow this aspect of development of the plan and should be encouraged to participate in voicing concerns and suggestions.”The Minister has previously revealed health insurance payments could be reduced for people in good health.Bermuda Health Council CEO Jennifer Attride-Stirling, of the finance task group, said that idea isn’t designed to punish sick people, but to provide incentives to people to stay healthy.“I think even if ten percent of people try to take advantage of that, it will be a good thing for us,” she said. “With 66 percent of people overweight or obese, a small dent in that will be good for our population.”