announced by Government.

It comes amid alarm at rocketing health costs and the exodus of people seeking treatment abroad.

The review's aim will be to improve the organisation and funding of the Island's health care.

And it will be masterminded by a health planning council.

Among those likely to be represented on it are the Bermuda Hospitals Board, insurance companies, and Government. The Lady Cubitt Compassionate Association -- that helps people go overseas for treatment -- is also expected to be represented.

Yesterday Health and Social Services Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness hinted at the move.

He said Government was "extremely concerned'' about health care costs.

"We will be making an announcement in the not too distant future about aspects of health care and health care costs.'' Mr. Edness said the "affordability'' of health care would also be examined.

He added the announcement could be made within a few weeks.

Yesterday Bermuda Medical Society president, Dr. John Stubbs, said the aim was for a "mini Hillary Clinton'' review.

The United States First Lady had been given the task of improving her Country's health care.

This week Bermudians were warned health insurance premiums could double in the next eight years.

Manager of Somers Isle Insurance Mr. Nick Warren told a Rotary lunch in Hamilton the expense of new medical technology was pushing up costs.

This year premiums had soared by around 20 percent.

Local insurers have voiced fears about the booming health care costs in Bermuda and abroad, especially the US.

Yesterday Dr. Stubbs explained an unofficial Cabinet committee was formed to look into the problems.

And now some kind of health planning council was to be set up, he added.

The proposed new body had not been given a name, and a chairman needed to be found.

Dr. Stubbs said health care givers and providers, including insurers, had been discussing the move over the last few months.

"We are looking at the total organisation and financing of the health service in Bermuda with a view to bringing it up to date and giving the public a bigger bang for their buck.'' He added: "We hope to make the service more efficient and more relevant.'' Dr. Stubbs said possible economies would be scrutinised and made where appropriate.

He added there was a need to stem the tide of people needlessly seeking care abroad.

"We want to stop this frivolity.'' Dr. Stubbs, however, said it was inevitable some treatment could only be given abroad.

"We are after all a small Country and cannot provide treatment for everything.'' Mr. Edness called on insurance companies to do their best to put the lid on costs.

Review of health care Mr. Edness called on insurance companies to do their best to put the lid on costs.

"We all appreciate the warning that came from the insurance industry, but we also have to be convinced firstly that a 20 percent increase in health premiums was in fact necessary this year and in fact that predictions that health insurance premiums could double in the next eight years are based on some fairly sound facts and not just profitability.

"Government is interested, therefore, in a total investigation of the costs, cost control, insurance costs, and what the Country can afford and cannot afford in health care in the future.

"These are concerns that have been taking our attention and we will in the very near future make an announcement as to what we propose to do in this area.

"Finally, we all have a responsibility in containing costs, the health care givers, as well as the health care financers.

"Residents too have a responsibility, which includes not going needlessly abroad when they can get treatment here.'' Mr. Hume Martin, executive director of the Bermuda Hospitals Board, strongly backed the proposed new organisation.

He said the hospitals board had encouraged joint planning between health officials, Government, and the LCCA.

This was important, he added, to plan some of the changes needed for Bermuda's health care service.

Yesterday local dentist, Dr. Duncan Moran, said high insurance premiums were a fact of life.

"Health insurance is important and it's going to get expensive if we want the best care.'' Dr. Moran said it was unreasonable to expect Bermuda's to provide the specialist care needed for some forms of treatment.

It was, therefore, inevitable people should go abroad for care.

Dr. Moran also blamed rising premiums on new medical technology.