Health Care

This is my response to a Straits Times article by its Health Correspondent , Salma Khalik. In her article Salma took issue with a number of persons who apparently proposed harsher criteria at a forum discussion with the Health Minister concerning the Means Testing Scheme for according healthcare subsidies to Singapore citizens

I congratulate you on the article captioned above. In an article I submitted, published in the Weekender last week, I proposed that Singaporeans should be engaged in dialogue to develop a shared vision about subsidized healthcare in Singapore. It is encouraging to see that Minister Khaw has held a forum attended more than 1000 people.

There will always be different views on the amount of subsidies governments should afford, or who should get more or less and how? The press should facilitate and stimulate this discussion and not try to limit it Health care cost is inescapable national burden…. whether we bear it as individuals as it is incurred, share through some systems of tax, subsidies corporate benefits, insurance schemes; or pass it on to future generations.

Continue reading "National HealthCare Vision: Why be meaner than the Minister"

The MEDICARE prophets of doom are out there again, this time in the form of Stanley Jeremiah's Weekend Today News feature, Jan 5-6 2008, titled, “MEDISAVE-MEDISHIELD…MEDI-CRISIS?”.

I am certain the sensational headline was an editor’s creation as the Stanley Jeremiah I know is better known to be understated than sensational.

Whilst it is encouraging to see more prominent people and professionals air their views on this important subject, the current article like many other previously featured in newsprints and blogs fail to cut through the murkiness to provide illuminating insights, nor avoid the unnecessary butting of heads with other swimmers as there is a lack of a shared National Vision
Continue reading "Singapore Healthcare: Importance of a Shared vision"