Health Insurance Amendment Act

What this bill does

This bill creates a new government-funded program to provide maternity care and health education for uninsured pregnant women in Bermuda. It also adjusts health insurance premiums (some going up, some going down) and increases prescription drug benefits for people with certain health plans.

If passed (voted YES)

• Uninsured pregnant women will receive free comprehensive maternity care and health education funded by the government's Mutual Re-insurance Fund
• Most health insurance premiums will increase by $30 per month, though seniors over 65 will see some reductions in their premiums
• Prescription drug coverage will improve - new $1,000 annual benefit for Health Insurance Plan members and increased coverage from $2,000 to $3,000 for FutureCare Plan members

If rejected (voted NO)

• Uninsured pregnant women will continue to have no government-funded maternity care program
• Current health insurance premium rates will remain unchanged
• Prescription drug benefits will stay at current levels with no improvements

Who it affects

This primarily affects uninsured pregnant women who would gain access to maternity care, and all Bermuda residents with government health insurance plans who will see changes to their premiums and prescription drug benefits.