Patients in B2, C class wards will be subsidised according to income -Singapore
By Hasnita A Majid, S Ramesh and May Wong
SINGAPORE: Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan has given an insight into the form means testing could take for patients admitted into Singapore hospitals.
This comes a week after Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong revealed in his New Year’s Message that means testing in hospitals will be one of three top priorities for the government to address in 2008.
Speaking at a healthcare dialogue session on Monday, Mr Khaw listed out several criteria which could be looked at.
He said firstly, patients must be given the freedom to choose. Rich or poor, they can choose to be admitted to a subsidised ward.
Secondly, all patients in B2 and C class wards will be subsidised, but to different degrees. Higher-income patients will be subsidised less, compared to lower-income patients, but their bills will remain affordable.
Thirdly, given the acute nature of hospitalisation, there needs to be a simple way to make an assessment.
One is to base it on the patient’s individual ability and any assessment of his financial status should preferably be automated, based on wages declared to the Inland Revenue Authority or the CPF Board.
Mr Khaw gave the assurance that the Ministry of Health (MOH) will be sensitive to the circumstances of retirees and others who are not working.
If their housing type is used for assessing their eligibility, then the threshold may be deliberately set at a sufficiently high level.
The health minister also stressed that no patient should be denied treatment because he cannot afford it.
Mr Khaw said the bottom-line is to get higher-income patients to pay more, if they want to stay in subsidised wards.
55-year-old Munawar Ahamed is hospitalised in Changi General Hospital for a hip injury.
In a six-bedded B2 ward, he has to pay about S$1,335 for a seven-day stay, but he would have to pay S$3,000 more if he had chosen a B1 ward.
Mr Munawar earns about S$10,000 a month but the subsidy that he receives now is the same as everyone else in the same class ward.
Once means testing is implemented, he is likely to enjoy a lower subsidy as he earns relatively more than other patients in the B2 class ward.
Mr Khaw reiterated that the aim of means testing is to ensure that government subsidies are given to those who truly deserve it.
The MOH has been considering the issue for some time and will continue to discuss the implementation details with unionists, members of parliament and the public.
Mr Khaw said he is confident of finding a way which is fair to all and which does not impose unnecessary burden on patients.
He stressed that the majority of Singaporeans should continue to receive the same level of subsidies as they do today.
- CNA/so
Source : Channel NewsAsia - 07 Jan 2008
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