We refer to the article “Indranee Rajah raps Workers’ Party on MediShield Life statement” (Channel NewsAsia, Jun 9).
Outcomes more important than political process?
It states that “As for attributing the recommendations to “many Singaporeans”, Ms Indranee criticised the Workers’ Party for dismissing the citizen feedback process during the debate on the President’s address, when WP chief Mr Low Thia Khiang said: “To me what is important is the outcome of political process…constructive politics does not happen by order of the government nor does it happen through a national conversation or public consultation.”
Illogical reasoning or a difference in definition?
“Two weeks ago, they dismissed the citizen feedback process. Now they attribute this policy (MediShield Life) to citizen feedback, obtained by that very same process,” she wrote.”
– We are of the view that the “citizen feedback” at issue, maybe one one of a difference in definition. Perhaps what Mr Low Khia Thiang was referring to was that the process of the “National conversation” and “public consultation” may not be reflective of “real” public feedback and views.
Social media feedback ignored?
Just look at the plethora of “public feedback” in social media, which seems to be generally ignored – as if no one was reading them – and generally do not get much of any response at all.
Specifically, on the issues of MediShield Life – may we ask as to what is the response to the following:-
“Medishield scheme accumulated surpluses?
What is the accumulated surplus plus interest since the MediShield scheme has had annual surpluses since its inception? About $1 billion plus?
After transitional subsidies – premiums increase more than 100%?
The problem with transitional subsidies may be that according to the example given in the media – for a family (a couple in their 30s with 2 children and 2 parents in their early 60s) – their annual premiums will increase from $1,220 to $2,436 if they do not qualify for the “subsidy for low income”, after the transitional subsidies are ceased after 4 years.
This is an increase of 100%.
No projections into the future?
And we have not even factored in or projected how much the increase will be as the couple in their 30s and their 2 elderly patents (early 60s) get older, as premiums may generally increase with age?
Why are such alternative or additional projections not mentioned at all in media reports?” (“MediShield Life: Premiums up 100% after transitional subsidies?“, Jun 6)
“Continue to advocate that the Government should shoulder a higher proportion of healthcare costs”?
As to “Ms Indranee also took issue with a line in the WP statement which said it “will continue to advocate that the Government should shoulder a higher proportion of healthcare costs, and share more risks on behalf of Singaporean families”.
– Still not spending any money on healthcare?
From a cashflow perspective, will the Government still not be spending a single cent on healthcare because Medisave contributions in a year may continue to exceed all withdrawals including government healthcare spending?
Are there any countries in the world that operate their healthcare system like this?
Lowest spending as % of GDP and share of spending?
Are we still one of the lowest public healthcare spending as a percentage of GDP (1.4% in FY2012) and lowest public share of total healthcare spending (one third), amongst all the high-income or developed countries?”
Pay more taxes if spend more on healthcare?
With regard to ““WP provides no details of how this sweeping objective is to be achieved. Never mind that when they call on the Government to pay more, they are effectively calling on taxpayers to pay more, since the Government is funded largely through taxes. Never mind that when they call upon the Government to bear more risk, they are effectively asking the taxpayer to bear more risk as the risk has to be funded and paid for,” she wrote”
Huge Budget surpluses?
– With huge Budget surpluses almost every year that have been accumulated, such as the $36.1 billion surplus for FY2012 according to the Department of Statistics, using IMF fiscal reporting guidelines – Why do we keep saying that taxpayers will have to pay more if we spend more on healthcare?
SY Lee and Leong Sze Hian
