Minister: ‘UHC Will Benefit Economy & Society’
“These findings are encouraging and demonstrate the effectiveness of our ongoing efforts to educate and engage the public about Universal Health Coverage [UHC]. UHC will benefit all residents by making healthcare more affordable and accessible, thus removing financial barriers to care. The long-term cost savings of preventive care and early intervention under UHC will benefit the economy and society,” said the Minister of Health Kim Wilson following the release of the latest Bermuda Omnibus Survey.
A spokesperson said, “The results indicate that public understanding is growing translating into an endorsement of Universal Health Coverage [UHC]. This marks significant progress over the past year.
“The survey also highlights areas needing attention through outreach and community engagement to ensure successful UHC implementation.
Survey Insight: Rising Awareness and Support
“According to the latest Bermuda Omnibus Survey 56% of residents now report a good understanding of UHC, with 64% of residents backing its implementation. Notably there was a significant increase in “complete support” after residents were presented with the proposed definition of UHC.
Addressing Concerns:
“The survey also highlighted concerns among respondents, including the cost of UHC, funding sources, implementation processes and equity issues.
“Minister Wilson emphasised the Ministry of Health’s commitment to addressing these concerns through transparent communication, and collaboration with stakeholders.”
She said, “We aim to ensure open dialogue and to address all questions so there is clarity on how UHC will be implemented. Equity is one of the core principles of UHC ensuring that everyone has fair access to healthcare.”
The Vision for UHC in Bermuda
A spokesperson said, “Universal Health Coverage [UHC] aims to ensure that all residents can access the essential health services without experiencing financial hardship. This includes preventative care and early intervention through a Primary Care Physician, offering services such as regular health check-ups, health education, support for healthy lifestyle habits and vaccinations, all without the burden of excessive costs.”
Minister Wilson said, “Our vision for UHC includes a Core Benefits Package that will provide essential healthcare services to all residents, ensuring that no one is left behind due to financial hardship. We are also exploring innovative solutions such as Digital Health to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our healthcare system.
“Through the mapping of Integrated Care Pathways and developing better health system processes we are committed to promoting wellness prevention and ensuring a streamlined coordinated care experience for patients.
“We are confident that by working together, we can foster a shared understanding of the benefits of UHC and achieve our goal of providing affordable, accessible, and high-quality healthcare for all Bermudians.”
Ongoing Engagement and Updates
A spokesperson said, “The Ministry of Health will continue in its efforts to engage with the public and stakeholders to build consensus and ensure that UHC meets the needs of all residents. For more information and the latest updates on Bermuda’s UHC journey, please visit www.healthstrategy.bm/latestupdates.
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This is all just political salad words based on a survey of 401 people. Visions, ideas, plans but no mention of benefits, costs and who will pay. No details. Useless, but it falls straight into the Minister’s ” I don’t have that information with me”.
It also ignores the experience of “universal” health care in Canada and the U.K.
The very model of health care this government is promoting is not financially sustainable. I appreciate that it is a long standing campaign promise, but it is not based in economic reality.