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OBA first proposed insurance savings, says Richards

Sniping over Government’s insurance bill continues between the Progressive Labour Party and the One Bermuda Alliance.In the war of words over who said it first, Shadow Finance Minister Bob Richards countered Premier Paula Cox’s statement that the OBA had tried to take credit for Government’s money-saving proposal.Ms Cox referred to March 16 comments she’d made in the House of Assembly.However, Mr Richards shot back that the OBA had raised the issue first in the House, on March 12.“The issue was raised by my colleague Cole Simons, who noted that the Government had paid more than $25 million in premiums over the preceding three years — a figure he thought excessive and capable of being reduced dramatically,” Mr Richards said.He added: “We don’t care who takes credit for the idea. Part of our approach to government will be to take on good ideas from whomever they originate.”Ms Cox, he continued, had “deftly avoided saying anything about actual cost-saving actions taken since March”.In his comeback, Mr Richards asked if Government had formed its own risk management agency, decided to self-insure, or formed a captive to cover insurance.