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The government's idea of FutureCare as a political winner has always preceded any hard thinking about how the programme will work and how it will be financed.

The initial promotion of FutureCare as a plan for all seniors has since foundered on the cost implications of that rash election-time promise - some $64 million a year by our calculation at the time.

Since then, the government has been dialling back expectations. What causes us concern today is the appearance that the Government is deliberately setting up poorly promoted application deadlines that have the effect of minimizing the number of applicants.

This was first brought to our attention at the start of the year when we began receiving calls from seniors who missed the January 1st application deadline for the Hospital Insurance Programme - a membership that would have qualified them for FutureCare. There were some print ads at the time but clearly not enough for broad promotion of the deadline.

Missing that deadline excluded many seniors from FutureCare.

Today we have received reports of another under-promoted deadline. Seniors who were members of HIP were required to fill out a FutureCare application form by March 23rd, yesterday. In this instance, we know of only sparse print ads to alert seniors of the deadline.

Missing this deadline would also have excluded seniors from FutureCare.

My question is: Why is government making it so difficult for our seniors? It is perfectly capable of organizing major promotions on any number of subjects, but the will to promote FutureCare - in terms of maximizing the number of qualifying seniors - appears to be weak.

At this rate, the government is in the process of forming a very exclusive club - FutureCare cardholders.

This is a far cry from its election-time promotion and its 2008 Budget description of FutureCare as a programme to "assist seniors without means to have insurance coverage for their health care needs."

My final concern for today addresses the question of affordable health care and FutureCare.

Surely, the priority concern for any government is to provide health care coverage for people lacking the means to get it - as implied by the above 2008 Budget quotation. But FutureCare and affordability fails at the first hurdle by requiring seniors to pay $260 a month, instead of the $200 a month for HIP.

While we recognize the additional benefits FutureCare may carry, it seems that seniors who did not have enough money to pay for HIP had no chance for FutureCare at all.

While we appreciate the intent behind FutureCare, if it does not provide coverage for "seniors without means" then we are not really making a difference in the lives that need our help the most.

Louise Jackson is the United Bermuda Party's Shadow Health Minister.[[In-content Ad]]WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2009: It was with some surprise that I read reports in the print media today from Mrs. Louise Jackson, Shadow Minister of Health expressing her concern that FutureCare was closing doors to seniors.

Mrs. Jackson noted that the "Government is excluding seniors from applying for FutureCare through poorly publicized print ads and communication." Let me be clear, there is not now, nor has there ever been an application process or deadline for persons to sign up for FutureCare.

It was just a few weeks ago that I announced in the House of Assembly that FutureCare would be rolled out in phases. I noted that in the first phase FutureCare would only include those persons presently enrolled in HIP, persons turning 65 during this calendar year and those persons over 65 who qualify for Financial Assistance.

No seniors who are members of HIP have been required to fill out a FutureCare application form. This unfounded statement does nothing but create confusion and concern amongst our senior population.

Persons presently enrolled in HIP do not have to do anything until such time as they receive their enrollment information from the Government Health Insurance Section. In the coming weeks we will be hosting Town Hall meetings, sending out brochures and providing information through the media. There is no need for HIP clients to go to our offices to seek information.

This roll-out is designed to meet the needs of those who need it most. The present economic climate does not allow for enrollment of all every senior that would like to be part of the programme. Persons who presently have insurance with the private sector are encouraged to maintain that insurance. We will be reviewing the economic situation and providing information as the fiscal year unfolds. This will determine the extent to which FutureCare will expand in the next year.

FutureCare is a revolutionary initiative. It is disappointing that an individual who puts themselves forward as a seniors advocate cannot see the benefits this will have over the long term. I do believe however that the community is smart enough to realize that if this programme were introduced in any greater way at this time, it would have placed a significant burden on the taxpayer during a time of economic crisis.

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