SINGAPORE : The National Trades Union Congress has called for
higher claims and age limits for patients under the MediShield
scheme now under review by the Ministry of Health.
It feels limiting the maximum coverage age to 80 years would, over
time, render the scheme less effective in meeting the needs of the
elderly.
It also asks that the lifetime and annual claimable limits be
raised to a level that corresponds to rising healthcare costs and
longer life expectancy.
In a statement, the labour movement says it welcomes any proposal
to halve a patient's burden of payouts from the current 60 percent
to a more manageable 30 percent of his hospital bills.
And while it understands that premiums would have to be raised in
tandem with increases in medical benefits and payouts, it urges the
Ministry to strike a balance between premium increases and
affordability.
NTUC Assistant Secretary-General Halimah Yacob says if the premiums
are raised to an unaffordable level, more of the elderly would opt
out of the scheme, which is self-defeating as they are most in need
of MediShield cover.
The labour group also asks that any increase in deductibles be kept
affordable, hoping to see the revised deductible at less than
$1,000 for C-class wards and less than $1,500 for B2-class
wards.
It says it has raised these concerns and suggestions to the Health
Ministry after getting the feedback from within the labour
movement.
The labour group is of the view the review is timely and would lead
to a more effective and inclusive scheme.
While it does not necessarily lead to lower healthcare costs, it is
expected to strengthen the financing of individuals' medical costs
and make healthcare more affordable for Singaporeans, especially
the lower income and the elderly. - CNA
