Senators yesterday rounded on insurance companies accused of leaving seniors out in the cold since the arrival of FutureCare.

Many people are said to have been driven into the initiative after insurance firms reacted to its introduction by raising the premiums for elders — causing the costs of FutureCare to shoot up.

Attorney General Kim Wilson in the Upper House yesterday described the practice as "reprehensible".

"I don't think there's any way we could have predicted that," she said.

Sen. Wilson said insurance companies had been glad to cut off elderly people "at the knees", because they do not see them as cash cows, even though that generation had made insurance contributions for many years while they were young and healthy.

Speaking during the Senate's debate on the Health Insurance Amendment (No. 2) Act, the AG was reacting to comments from Independent Senator Walwyn Hughes, who argued Government could have anticipated the scenario.

Sen. Hughes said insurance companies must have seen FutureCare and thought to themselves: "Oh my goodness, it's out of my hands. I'm getting out of this!"

He reflected: "That probably should have been predicted a little bit."

Government Senator Walton Brown later continued the attack on insurance companies, saying: "Part of being in the community is to demonstrate a commitment to the community.

"They have collected premiums from people when they are at the height of their health, but when they are most likely to need health care, they are less likely to help them."

Sen. Brown said Government should consider creating a more competitive environment for insurance companies, to create a better delivery.

United Bermuda Party Senator Suzann Roberts-Holshouser said families also had a responsibility to ease the burden by caring for their own parents.

The bill — which was unanimously passed by Senators — reopens HIP on a temporary basis for hundreds of seniors who were left unable to claim health insurance following the phased introduction of FutureCare.

Junior Health Minister Thaao Dill had opened the debate by complaining about "misinformation" from detractors like the UBP.

Opposition Senator Jeanne Atherden responded by saying the UBP was merely pointing out problems to ensure they can be smoothed out.

She also questioned at what point those people in HIP will be able to join FutureCare, alleging that FutureCare is a Rolls-Royce and HIP a mere Mini.