passing on their employees health insurance contribution.

PLP Senate Leader Milton Scott told the Senate that they should make an example of one or two firms, in a bid to discourage others who are carrying on the practice.

He said: "There are still many employers who are not providing health insurance for their employees, but who are deducting it but not paying it. It is the time the Government put them on notice that they will prosecute them if they do not comply.

"We should remind them of their obligations within the law to provide insurance and to ensure that once that premium is deducted, they are paid.'' Sen. Scott was speaking as Senate passed the Hospital Insurance (Deductions) Amendment Regulations, which provides authority for employers to deduct increased Hospital Insurance premiums.

Independent Sen. Walwyn Hughes added that he was concerned for those workers who reached retirement age and suddenly found themselves without health insurance.

He said $600 to $700 was a normal quote for a monthly premium in those cases.

Sen. Yvette Swan said: "I am concerned about pensioners that find they are not covered. I am looking forward to a time when they can be covered.'' PRICES DIFFERENCES CAUSE FOR CONCERN Price differences cause for concern Differences in prices for services in Bermuda's hospital and the private sector were a cause of concern in the Senate.

Sen. Milton Scott queried why some services such as ultrasound and radiology were charged at lower rates outside of the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

He was talking as Senate passed the Bermuda Hospitals Board (Hospital Fees) Amendment Regulations 1998.

But in reply Sen. Bob Richards said as the hospital was non-profit making, then certain services subsidised others.

"There is no such thing as a free lunch, the rooms at the hospital are subsidised by these high rates for these services -- that is the bottom line.

That is why it costs so much for these services than it does outside the hospital,'' he said.

Sen. Yvette Swan reminded senators that they should bear in mind the upgrading and additional work that was going on at the hospital this year -- at a cost of $10.4 million.

NINE PATIENTS AWAITING KIDNEY TRANSPLANTS Nine patients awaiting kidney transplants Nine patients are waiting for kidney transplants in Bermuda.

Last year six people received new organs and from this year the maximum amount payable to patients increases from $20,000 to $30,000.

The Senate passed the Hospital Insurance (Standard Hospital Benefit) Amendment Regulations 1998, which agreed on the rise.

HIKE IN HOSPITAL INSURANCE PREMIUMS Hike in hospital insurance premiums Hospital insurance premiums are to rise by over ten percent to help top up health funds which have fallen to low levels.

The Senate agreed to the increases to enable enough cover to be available to patients at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

Now the Standard Hospital Insurance premium will rise from $78.80 a month to $88.70 -- an increase of 10.4 percent.

It comes in from April 1.

A proportion of the premium, $10, will be paid into the Mutual Reinsurance Fund, which covers such ailments as kidney complaints, diabetes and hospice care.

Sen. Alan Marshall said the Hospital Premium Fund, which helps high risk patients such as those with heart complaints, had fallen to just $67,000 in the last year.

In previous years it had stood as high as $1.33 million, he said.

"It needs to be topped up,'' he said.

There had been an increase in costs in services, and the adjustments in the premium had to be made, he said.

Sen. Milton Scott said major illnesses and long stays in hospital could easily wipe out the fund in one go.

"If we don't have sufficient reinsurance for that liability then we have a real problem on our hands,'' he said.

Sen. Scott said it was still a very reasonable premium, adding that in other countries, even with the best insurance in the world, they always wanted your money on the table before any treatment was made.

PAYMENTS FOR ARTIFICAL LIMBS INCREASE Payments for artificial limbs increase Payments for artificial limbs have been increased from $10,000 to $15,000, after the Senate passed new legislation.

They agreed the Hospital Insurance (Artificial Limbs and Appliances) Amendment Regulations, which increases the benefits paid to those who have an artificial limbs, orthopaedic brace or artificial appliance fitted.

NATIONAL YOUTH CHOIR FOR BERMUDA National youth choir for Bermuda Bermuda will be getting a national youth choir.

The announcement was made by Community and Cultural Affairs Minister Sen.

Yvette Swan on Wednesday in the Senate.

The Bermuda Island Youth Choir will bring together talented young people to attain international performance standards.

Sen. Swan said the Choir will also raise the standards of local vocal performances, develop a comprehensive repertoire, and stage workshops.

Membership into the Bermuda Island Youth Choir will be by audition only, Sen.

Swan said.

And she said that the posts of the Choir's director and accompanist will advertised in the newspaper at a date yet to be determined.

Sen. Swan reminded the public that although a Steering Committee had been formed, plans were still in the early stages of development and it will be some time before the choir is born.

MAKE LICENCE FEES FOR SOME DOGS HIGHER Make licence fees for some dogs higher Dogs considered to be dangerous should carry a heavier licensing fee than other canines.

Sen. Terry Lister said there should be a disincentive penalty for dogs which are percieved to be dangerous.

"A lot of people are afraid of dogs and some are a bit more aggressive than others,'' he said.

He was speaking as the Senate passed the Government Fees Amendment Regulations 1998, which will see rises for fees for services such as registration, licence applications and permits.

It will mean increases in line with inflation for Government services and fees across the board.

Licences, permits, applications and other activities that require a Government fee are all set to rise.

MORE TRADEMARKS REGISTERED HERE More trademarks registered here Increases in the number of trademarks registered in Bermuda will bring the Government an estimated $542,000 in revenue in the coming year.

Sen. Alan Marshall said the review was the first in recent years and would bring a 4.5 percent increase across the board.

He told the Senate that the country would still remain very competitive, with around 750 new trademarks being registered each year.

He added that harmonisation of legislation was also taking place that would keep Bermuda in line with developments around the world.