Legislators yesterday passed a bill establishing the Bermuda Health Council ? a new body to oversee the delivery of health services on the Island.

Functions of the Council include regulating health services and health care providers, managing the Hospital Insurance Plan and regulate prices of drugs sold on the Island.

It will also advise the Health Minister, promote wellness programmes and conduct research.

The Council will consist of senior civil servants from the Finance and Health Ministries, a Chief Executive Officer, and at least nine "ordinary" members.

The bill was opposed by the Opposition United Bermuda Party which objected that the measure would add another layer of bureaucracy, be duplicative and may not even be successful in resolving the complex issues facing health care in Bermuda.

The UBP was also concerned that the Council would not have enough independence.

But the Opposition was defeated in its bid to add six amendments to the bill, one of which would have seen the Council's meetings be open to the public.

At the end of a full day's debate, the Government side carried the vote 17 to 13, with each side voting strictly along party lines.

But the third reading was put off at the request of the Minister to allow time to consult with civil servants on a technical matter.