night.

Some Opposition Progressive Labour Party senators said they were worried about the amount people were being asked to pay.

Sen. Terry Lister (PLP) said hikes in premiums were "frankly out of line''.

"I am surprised and dismayed that Government feels so comfortable about increasing these rates.'' But Government Senate leader the Hon. Gerald Simons said the community had a responsibility to keep costs down.

Figures showed the chief causes of death in Bermuda were high blood pressure, obesity, heart trouble, alcohol diabetes, and AIDS.

These suggested people were damaging their health through their choice of lifestyle.

It was time for individuals to accept a greater responsibility for their own health, said Sen. Simons.

The comments came as Senators debated amendments to several regulations related to hospital charges and health insurance costs.

The Senate approved the Bermuda Hospitals Board (Hospital Fees) Amendment Regulations 1995, the Hospital Insurance (Standard Premium) Regulations 1995, the Hospital Insurance (Deductions) Amendment Regulations 1995, the Hospital Insurance (Standard Hospital Benefit) Amendment Regulations 1995, and the Hospital Insurance (Artificial Limbs and Appliances) Amendment Regulations 1995.

The first regulation set five percent fee increases for hospital services, while the second fixed the basic insurance premium and reinsurance premium.

The third regulation, meanwhile, provided the authority for employers to deduct up to 50 percent of the standard premium from their employees' pay packets, and fourth one extended the number of procedures included as insured under the standard hospital benefit.

And the last regulation tidied up wording, replacing the words "orthopaedic braces'' with "orthopaedic appliances'' to reflect the wider range of devices available.