Video: Minister Adams & Wilson Press Conference

Minister of Health Kim Wilson and Minister of Public Works and Environment Jaché Adams held a joint post-Budget press conference to provide further information on initiatives under their respective Ministries.

Minister Jaché Adams Statement

Minister of Public Works and Environment Jaché Adams said, “Good afternoon everyone. Thank you for being here today.

“Every day in Bermuda, whether we are driving to work, walking along a public beach, visiting a historic site, or relying on safe waste management and reliable infrastructure, we depend on the systems overseen by the Ministry of Public Works and Environment.

“Those systems are not abstract. They are roads, bridges, parks, public lands, Government properties, agricultural facilities, waste treatment plants and renewable energy installations. They are the physical foundation of our country.

“Last year, in my first Budget as Minister, I talked about laying the groundwork for the future. We focused on stabilising systems, addressing long-standing issues, and beginning to move critical projects forward.

“This year, we are building on that foundation.

“The theme of this Budget is “Responsible Choices… Lasting Benefits for Bermudians.” For this Ministry, that theme is not a slogan. It is a practical test. Every dollar allocated must strengthen infrastructure, improve resilience, and deliver visible results and durable value to the people of Bermuda.

“Responsible choices in public works mean investing where it matters most. And lasting benefits mean projects that will serve this country not just next year, but for decades to come.

“This year, not only are we laying the groundwork, but we are doing the work to break ground.

“This Budget provides nine million dollars [$9 million] to begin construction of the new Swing Bridge.

“For years, Bermudians have spoken about the importance of replacing this critical piece of national infrastructure. This allocation moves us decisively from preparation into construction.

“It marks the start of a multi-year replacement process for one of the most vital links in the East End.

“The responsible choice was to plan carefully, secure funding, and move forward in a structured way. The lasting benefit will be a modern, reliable bridge serving residents, businesses and emergency services for generations.

“The new bridge will be engineered to withstand wind loads of up to 150 miles per hour in line with modern building codes. While it will safely operate and lift open for marine traffic in winds of up to 35 miles per hour, the public can be assured that this will remain a fully functioning swing bridge, with operators retaining discretion to pause openings only in extreme weather or poor sea conditions to protect public safety.

“Let me also address the issue of private roads, because this is something residents have consistently raised. While much of our recent focus has been on improving Government-owned public roads, the reality is that many Bermudians live on or must travel daily along privately owned roads that have fallen into disrepair.

“In many cases, responsibility for maintenance rests with multiple owners, and where that responsibility has not been exercised, residents are left navigating unsafe or deteriorating conditions. That is why we have pledged one million dollars [$1 million] to improve private roads, an initiative promised in the 2025 Throne Speech.

“This is not about relieving owners of responsibility, but about ensuring that ordinary residents are not unfairly impacted by prolonged inaction.

“With the necessary legislative framework in place, this funding will allow the Government to step in where needed, improve safety and accessibility, and bring greater fairness and consistency to how road conditions are addressed across our island.

“Additionally, we are investing five-hundred thousand dollars [$500,000] in expanded verge maintenance, increasing both manpower and specialised equipment to tackle overgrown hedges and roadside vegetation across the island.

“This means more crews on the ground, more frequent cutting, clearer sightlines for motorists and pedestrians, and safer journeys for everyone. But it is also about pride. Well-maintained roadsides reflect a well-managed island, and this investment ensures Bermuda looks as safe and cared for as it truly is.

“Good infrastructure is not only functional. It reflects who we are. Responsible stewardship also means ensuring that public assets are not left idle.

“This Budget allocates four-point five million dollars [$4.5 million] to revitalise underutilised Government properties, including Montpelier, the Admiralty House Ballroom, and St. David’s Lighthouse.

“These sites represent history, culture and opportunity. The responsible choice is to invest in them thoughtfully. The lasting benefit is community engagement, tourism enhancement, and the productive reuse of valuable public property.

“We are also directing one-point seven million dollars [$1.7 million] toward the restoration of our treasured national parks and public lands, from the lush pathways of the Botanical Gardens to the historic vistas at Admiralty House and our family-friendly public beaches.

“This funding will support upgraded landscaping, improved walking trails and signage, safer and more accessible picnic and leisure areas, and refreshed amenities that encourage residents and visitors alike to spend more time outdoors.

“Whether it’s more benches under shaded trees, well-maintained lawns for children to play on, or enhanced coastal viewpoints that honour Bermuda’s natural beauty, this investment is about elevating the everyday experiences of everyone who enjoys our open spaces. Our parks and shores are not just land. They are the heart of our island’s identity and quality of life.

“Responsible choices are also about strengthening our self-reliance.

“This Budget includes two-point five million dollars [$2.5 million] to break ground on a new Agricultural Centre, which many of our local farmers have been asking for.

“This investment supports the modernisation of local food production and enhances Bermuda’s food security. Global events in recent years have reminded us that resilience matters. I want to be clear: Supporting domestic agriculture is not optional; it is strategic.

“The lasting benefit will be greater innovation, stronger local production, and improved long-term stability in our food systems.

“Responsible governance also means maintaining the systems that protect public health and the environment.

“This Budget continues major investment in the Tynes Bay Waste-toEnergy Facility, allocating over nine million dollars [$9 million] to maintain and ensure long-term reliability.

“For a small island like Bermuda, where nearly everything we consume is imported and eventually becomes waste, the reliability of Tynes Bay is mission-critical.

“We generate significant volumes of waste relative to our size, and Modernising and strengthening Tynes Bay is important to ensure it can keep pace with current and future demand, operate efficiently, and protect both public health and our environment.

“At the same time, one-point four million [$1.4 million] is allocated to expand the rooftop solar programme across multiple public buildings.

“Reducing energy costs and supporting Bermuda’s transition to renewable energy is both fiscally responsible and environmentally sound. It lowers long-term operating costs and strengthens sustainability.

“As we reflect on the choices set out in this Budget, it is clear that responsible decisions do more than strengthen infrastructure. They also protect and enhance our natural environment. That balanced approach will define our legacy.

“As Minister of Public Works and Environment, my mission is to ensure that the foundations of this country are strong, resilient, and sustainable for future generations.

“That means investing in our roads and bridges, but it also means protecting the ecosystems that make Bermuda unique, including our national parks, beaches, marine habitats, and biodiversity. It means supporting the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in conserving our natural resources, managing pollution, safeguarding fisheries, and expanding public access to the open spaces that define our island.

“Last year, we stabilised and laid important groundwork. This year, we advance projects that strengthen communities, enhance our environment, and improve daily life for residents and visitors alike.

“In doing so, we honour the principle at the heart of this Budget: responsible choices that deliver lasting benefits for Bermudians. Thank you.”

Minister Kim Wilson Statement

Minister of Health Kim Wilson said, “Good afternoon. This year marks an important turning point for Bermuda’s health system.

“The 2026–2027 Budget represents one of the most significant investments in health in our country’s recent history. More importantly, it marks the moment where health reform moves from planning to implementation, a year focused on alignment, accountability, and measurable progress across the health system.

“For too long, discussions about reform have centred on what should happen next. This year is about ensuring that the structures, investments, and partnerships across our health system are working together to deliver real results for the people of Bermuda.

“The Ministry of Health, including Headquarters, the Department of Health, the Health Insurance Department, the Bermuda Hospitals Board, and the Bermuda Health Council — remains guided by a clear vision: healthy people in healthy communities.

“For the 2026–2027 fiscal year, the Ministry of Health has been allocated three hundred and two point four million dollars, an increase of more than fifty-seven million dollars compared to last year’s budget.

“This represents one of the largest health investments Bermuda has made in recent years.

“But this investment is not simply about sustaining services.

“It is about strengthening inclusion, improving affordability, ensuring accountability, and modernising our health system for the future.

“One of the most important priorities in this year’s Budget is ensuring that residents who are currently outside of the healthcare system have a pathway into care.

“Through the new Health Inclusion Initiative, we are creating an entry point into healthcare for uninsured individuals by providing access to a defined set of essential services.

“On an island as connected as Bermuda, leaving people outside the healthcare system ultimately harms everyone. Untreated chronic conditions become emergencies. Preventable illness becomes costly hospital care.

“The Health Inclusion Initiative allows individuals to stabilise chronic conditions, access treatment, and begin engaging with the health system in a structured way.

“As the broader Core Benefits framework under Universal Health Coverage is implemented, individuals entering through this initiative will transition into a unified coverage model designed to work more efficiently and sustainably for all residents.

“Investing in Prevention and Early Detection

“This Budget also strengthens our focus on prevention.

“We know that Bermuda faces a growing burden of chronic disease, including diabetes, hypertension, and cancer.

“Treating these conditions only after complications develop is costly for the health system and devastating for families.

“That is why this year we will move forward with a National Screening Programme designed to detect chronic conditions earlier.

“Earlier detection saves lives and reduces long-term healthcare costs.

“To support this work, the Ministry is strengthening claims analytics, real-time health data systems, and population health dashboards, allowing us to identify risks earlier and intervene sooner.

“Our goal is to shift Bermuda’s health system away from crisis-driven spending and toward prevention-driven sustainability.

“This Budget also makes a direct investment in the next phase of Universal Health Coverage.

“A total of $3 million has been allocated to advance UHC implementation and strengthen the digital infrastructure required to support it.

“This funding will allow the Ministry to:

• modernise the legislative and regulatory framework
• complete actuarial and financial modelling
• design provider payment structures
• strengthen digital health systems
• expand claims analytics and population health dashboards

“Universal Health Coverage is not simply a policy goal.

“It is a commitment to fairness.

“It ensures that every resident has access to essential healthcare services without facing financial hardship, while also providing the system with the stability and predictability required to plan for the future.

“Another major priority in this Budget is strengthening long-term care and community services.

“Hospital beds are increasingly occupied by patients who are medically ready for discharge but cannot safely transition back into the community due to limited care options.

“To address this challenge, we will establish a 30-bed transitional care unit designed to relieve pressure on acute hospital services and improve patient flow.

“We will also advance the rebuild of Lefroy House and continue progress on the expansion of the Sylvia Richardson Care Facility, increasing long-term care capacity and ensuring that seniors receive care in the most appropriate setting.

“Complementing these investments, a Home-First strategy, supported by remote monitoring technology and coordinated community care, will help seniors remain safe and independent in their homes whenever possible.

“Primary care infrastructure will also be modernised.

“This includes refurbishment of public clinics in Hamilton, St. George’s, and Somerset, ensuring that residents have access to modern community-based care.

“The Ministry will also advance:

• interoperable electronic medical records
• expanded e-prescribing
• digital navigation tools that make it easier for residents to understand their benefits and access care.

“These improvements will make the system easier to navigate and strengthen coordination across providers.

“A major component of this Budget is the $55 million in operational support for the Bermuda Hospitals Board.

“This is the single largest health investment in the 2026–2027 Budget.

“This funding will:

• meet BHB’s statutory and contractual obligations
• address near-term cash-flow pressures
• stabilise hospital operations during system reform
• protect continuity of care at KEMH and MWI
• support safe staffing and essential clinical services

“In addition, the Budget allocates $10 million in capital funding for KEMH and $2 million for infrastructure upgrades at the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute to modernise equipment and strengthen clinical environments.

“For the public, these investments mean shorter wait times, smoother admissions, improved patient flow, and more reliable access to emergency, acute, and mental health services.

“However, stabilising the hospital is only one part of the solution.

“Stability cannot come at the expense of innovation or reform.

“Our responsibility is to ensure that the entire health system works better, from prevention and primary care to long-term care and digital coordination.

“This Budget ensures that while the hospital remains stable, the broader system continues to evolve and improve.

“This Budget also strengthens support for seniors and working families.

“A total of $14 million has been allocated to expand benefits under HIP and FutureCare, including:
- free annual health examinations
- expanded prescription drug coverage
- a predictable $25 co-pay for primary care visits

“These improvements reduce financial barriers to routine care and help residents manage chronic conditions earlier.

“In addition, $15 million has been allocated to subsidise FutureCare premiums for approximately 2,200 low-income seniors, ensuring continued access to essential healthcare services.

“Healthcare reform cannot succeed without the people who deliver care every day.

“This Budget includes additional investments in nursing scholarships, workforce training, and professional development, ensuring that Bermuda continues to build and retain a strong healthcare workforce.

“When we invest in our healthcare professionals, we strengthen the entire system.

“This year will also focus on accountability and measurable progress.

“Every investment made in this Budget must translate into improved services, stronger system performance, and better health outcomes.

“Our responsibility as a government is not only to fund healthcare, but to ensure that the system delivers value and fairness for the people of Bermuda.

“Before I conclude, I want to thank the healthcare professionals who serve our community every day with dedication and compassion.

“Their work is the foundation of our health system.

“This Budget represents more than increased spending.

“It represents a shift toward prevention over crisis care, inclusion over exclusion, affordability with accountability, and a health system designed to serve every resident of Bermuda.

“The year ahead will focus on alignment, accountability, and progress.

“Together, we will continue building a stronger, fairer, and more resilient health system for Bermuda. Thank you.”

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