Originally posted by ShutterBug:
..... which will likewise in return produce results in
"Baby-Steps" as well.
Oh yeah... keep up the "good work" PAP... 
[b]Baby Bonus savings can cover medical expenses from May
1
By Julia Ng, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 10 February 2007 2015
hrs
From 1st May, parents will be able to use their Baby Bonus savings
to pay for their children's medical bills.
Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Dr Vivian
Balakrishnan said the extension is aimed at lightening the
financial load on parents.
And hopefully, encourage Singapore couples to have more
children.
Raising two-year old Joel has been an expensive affair for his
father Eugene Seah.
Joel was hospitalised twice, and that used up $12,000 of the
couple's savings.
So parents like Eugene welcome news that Baby Bonus money could
soon be used to pay for their children's medical expenses.
He said: "I think cost is a major concern for a lot of parents in
Singapore. Our child before the age of 2 was already hospitalised
two times. So on hindsight it would have helped a lot!"
Jelene Lee, Expectant Mother, says: "I think it's very good because
right now it's only for use in schools."
From May 1st, the Baby Bonus will be expanded to cover all medical
fees from hospitalisation, to children's immunisation, outpatient
consultation, medicine costs, and even dental treatment.
And there's no limit on the amount that can be deducted from the
Baby Bonus account for medical-related expenses.
Dr Balakrishnan said: "The key principle is that we want to help
reduce the burden on parents. So that they'll be able to enjoy
their children. And if they so wish, to even have more
children!"
All hospitals, polyclinics, dental clinics and private clinics are
now invited to register with the Ministry as Approved
Institutions.
All they have to do is set up a GIRO facility so that parents can
pay for their children's medical treatment and fees from the Baby
Bonus account.
The Baby Bonus was first set up in 2001 to help parents defray the
costs of raising children.
The first and second child each receives a $3,000 cash gift from
the Government while the third and fourth child each gets a cash
gift of $6,000.
On top of the cash gift, the second to the fourth child also gets
receives a co-savings matching contribution in a special savings
account called the Children Development Account (CDA) - more
commonly known as the Baby Bonus.
The Government matches dollar-for-dollar the amount of savings in
CDA - up to a cap of $6,000 for a second child, and $12,000 each
for a third or fourth child.
Currently, parents can use the Baby Bonus money to pay for fees at
approved institutions such as child care centres, kindergartens,
and special education schools.
They could also Baby Bonus to buy medical insurance under the
MediShield or Medisave-approved private integrated plans.
But this is as far as the extension will go.
Dr Balakrishnan said the Baby Bonus will not be extended for use on
kids beyond 6 years old, nor to single mothers.
And it will also not be topped up at next week's Budget.
Critics of the Baby Bonus scheme have pointed out that it has not
managed to reverse Singapore's record-low Total Fertility Rate, or
TFR.
Dr Balakrishnan said: "Well at least the TFR has not fallen any
further! It's still at 1.25. Money is not going to solve the
problem of lower fertility."
And he hopes a more pro-family, child-friendly society will
encourage couples to have more babies. - CNA/ch
[/b]
So people... now go forth and multiply!! 
Cheers
