A group of charities has joined forces to call for a healthcare safety net, motivated by their concern about Government’s lack of consultation with the community on how to best address the medical needs of Bermudians.

Speaking on the group’s behalf, Charles Jeffers, the chairman of Age Concern, said: “We call on the Premier, [and the ministers of] finance and health, seniors and environment, to work swiftly towards ensuring that there is a healthcare safety net for Bermudians of all ages.

“We are asking for a freeze on all legislative changes to healthcare provision and coverage until there has been substantive community input on what constitutes basic and affordable healthcare coverage for Bermudians.

“We are asking for the institution of a task force that can effectively implement a national healthcare policy that addresses the provision of health care in a manner that Bermudians of all ages can access and afford; that best meets the needs of the people, as determined in consultation with the people, as a matter of urgency.

“We are asking the Government not to dismiss the call of its community.”

Mr Jeffers said the group was preparing a letter to Michael Dunkley, asking for his assistance in immediately addressing community concerns.

The charity groups included representatives from Age Concern Bermuda, the InterAgency Committee for Children and Families, the Centre on Philanthropy, and Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre.

They gathered at Charities House, where they were supported by other helping agencies such as Family Centre, Pride Bermuda and the patients and consumers affected by recent changes.

Mr Jeffers said: “With regard to impact to senior citizens, tremendous strain was being felt with respect to the costs of Government Employee Health Insurance scheme (GEHI) to a non-employed spouse — typically a widow or widower — has risen to $494.02 per month or $114 per week, and is set to rise again by almost $100 more in January 2016.

“FutureCare premiums are also set to rise by July 1, 2015. As it stands, FutureCare premiums are $450 per month. According to the 2010 Census, the median pension is $1,283 per month or $296 per week in social insurance income, which leaves an average of about $200 per week left for the average pensioner subscribing to FutureCare or GEHI to live on after health insurance coverage alone.

“For some pensioners, health insurance coverage consumes their entire pension.”

One GEHI holder, Kathleen Brangman, has found that changes in coverage have left her with $68 a month after health insurance coverage deductions.

The Inter-Agency Committee for Children and Families finds that meeting the cost of health care can be bleak.

“We have been made aware that as of July 1, there will be an increase in private sector insurance premiums,” Nadine Lapsley Dyer, programme co-ordinator, said.

“The Mutual Reinsurance Fund (MRF) tax has increased from $29.18 per insured per month in 2014-15 to $63.74 per insured per month in 2015-16.

“The MRF is a mandatory tax that is collected on health insurance premiums and paid to Government. The SHB (Standard Hospital Benefit) premium has increased from $301.85 in 2014-15 to $338.07 in 2015-16 — an overall increase of 12 per cent inclusive of the government tax.”

She described the situation as “very concerning, given the impact of our current economic climate on families”, and adding that, according to the 2013 Household Expenditure Survey, the average annual household expenditure increased by 18 per cent from 2004 to 2013, including utility costs, health care and housing.

In 2013, the average family spent $10,300 a year on health care, and health insurance accounted for $7,644, or 74 per cent, of this expenditure.

She also pointed out that, notwithstanding government insurance premiums, which do not always provide adequate upfront coverage, the average single parent will pay private insurers up to $1,800 per month for health insurance.

Next to housing, healthcare costs continue to be the second highest increased cost for families in household expenditure.

“These increases will ultimately result in unfairly asking families to choose between putting food on the table and taking care of the health and wellbeing of themselves and their children,” Ms Dyer said.

Shirlene White, of the Centre on Philanthropy, described how many of the Island’s charities were in danger of reducing staff or closing their doors because of a range of increased fees and taxes being introduced this year.

Health insurance rises this year owing to government taxes are among the largest of all increases.

“Our membership of local charities have indicated that some of them may have to choose between letting staff go or paying insurance for the few staff that remain, all at a time when the demand for service is much greater,” Ms White said.

“According to a recent survey of our membership, 65 per cent of non-profits are experiencing an increase in demand for their programmes and services in spite of the need to downsize.”

The Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre emphasised its commitment to working in partnership with the Bermuda Health Council, the Ministry of Health, Seniors and Environment, and other charitable agencies to find solutions for affordable and quality health care.

According to clinical educator Rhonda Lewis, “the Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre provides over $200,000 a year to cover the cost of diagnostic imaging and early cancer detection for those who may not have health insurance or whose health insurance does not cover certain procedures”.

“The Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre supports early cancer detection as the best current option for catching diseases such as cancer as early as possible, as it provides us with the best possible chance of curing cancer,” Ms Lewis added. “

We believe that health screenings such as mammograms and ultrasound should be available to everyone regardless of insurance coverage or ability to pay.”