Khaw: Medishield up by $120... but no basis for rise

gerald_tan SG

Looks like our dear Health Minister has a super short term memory... maybe it's time for him to retire...

Health minister says no basis for rise in medical insurance premiums
29 January 2008 1416 hrs (SST)

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/325568/1/.html

SINGAPORE : Bit by bit, the questions about implementing means testing in public hospitals are being addressed but one has lingered unanswered, until now: Will medical insurance premiums inflate as a result?

One media report had suggested this possibility, after the Life Insurance Association (LIA) of Singapore said means testing would have a "definite impact" on the health insurance market, and insurers would have to review their product designs and policies.

Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan, however, gave his response in no uncertain terms when TODAY put the question to him. "There is no basis for such a rise," he said, in an email interview.

Later that very same day....

Medishield premiums to go up by $120 this year

Jan 29, 2008

By Salma Khalik

MEDISHIELD premiums are expected to go up later this year by about $120, in what Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan promises to be the last tweak to the scheme under his watch.

Under the proposed means testing, people whose incomes are at the 50th percentile or less will continue to enjoy the current subsidy. Higher income-earners will get less subsidy.

He is waiting for the latest statistics to decide the cut-off salary. But he promised to round the figure up so it's actually higher than the 50th percentile.

'You have a very compassionate Health Minister,' he said with a grin.

FireIce SG

compassionate my foot dah!!!

mistyblue SG

In Singapore, When has any policy changes or the increases in prices for public service which include the ministerial salary - has any real justification?

HyperFocal SG

... allo.. I say; "Shut the fark up with your BullCrap, and please go and die...!"

4getmenot SG

self praising oneself... u got a very funny health minister...xD

phil30k SG

On the bright side, if Singapore doesn't collapse with such ministers, it's pretty strong and will easily survive more opposition.

ceecookie SG

Most likely the $120 is meant for tax to PAP

BillyBong SG

Did Khaw really commit when he 'promised' this to be the last tweak?

I'm adopting a wait and see policy

4getmenot SG

On the bright side, if Singapore doesn't collapse with such ministers, it's pretty strong and will easily survive more opposition.

with the GRC electorate system... do u actually think there are any oppositions with the amount of manpower to take on them all? xD

caleb_chiang SG

please lor... you guys keep listening to gahmen's bullshit...

kramnave SG

with the GRC electorate system... do u actually think there are any oppositions with the amount of manpower to take on them all? xD

Ultimately if the opposition wants to take over they need to come up with the manpower and of course those that are capable, with or without the GRC.

EarlNeo SG

Sometime i even wonder why they even bother coming up with empty promise? It is not like we can do a sh1t about anything.

jeez88 SG

I will just like to make a simple point.

I might get flamed - but please this is something which all of you might want to consider in your hearts.

During the 2006, who did you vote for?

If it's the opposition you had supported, fine - complain all you want.

If it's the ruling government which you had voted for - please do not complain and make a hu-ha about prices being upped and everything.

Remember the carrot and stick rule, or the dog and man rule.

Ultimately, you would want to think - whether do you want your money to be put to productive use or not.

Sinking investments, and what not - it's your call.

One example, if a composite gambler needs money and borrows from you saying that he will pay the amount back to you - do you think he will ever do so?

If you do want to make a difference, vote in the 2011 elections. Smartly and Wisely,

Choose wisely, and face the consequences squarely.

Ultimately at the end of the day, it is your choice.

gerald_tan SG

During 2006..... I didn't even get to vote..... so don't get me started on that. Nor in the one before that. Or the one before before that.

BillyBong: Speaking of elections.... Why? Don't you trust the man? He's the same one that said in 2006, just before the elections : " means-testing will not be implemented in the next two years"

Means-testing not likely in the next two years

03 May 2006

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/206333/1/.html

Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan says means-testing will not be implemented in the next two years as originally planned.

He was responding on Wednesday to a Workers' Party's concern over the criteria to be used for means-testing.

Mr Khaw said: "The criteria? I don't know. I honestly don't know. I don't tell lies like some people. You don't want to implement a scheme that is so complicated, that it costs so much to do thorough means-testing. Then whatever you save, you have to now pay more for administrative costs. Now, that additional cost, someone has to bear it." To t

See? The man doesn't tell lies! As long as it's implemented after May 2008, he has kept his word!!!