SDP takes aim at PAP’s comments about healthcare

SINGAPORE — Continuing his focus on alternative healthcare policies, Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) candidate Paul Tambyah yesterday took aim at what two People’s Action Party (PAP) candidates said about healthcare in recent days.

The PAP’s East Coast Group Representation Constituency (GRC) candidate, Manpower Minister Lim Swee Say, had said on Thursday that MediShield Life — a universal insurance scheme to protect against large hospital bills that takes effect from November — would significantly reduce the burden on Singaporeans who are hospitalised.

Government subsidies will reduce the bill for a person staying two nights in intensive care after an operation, and 10 nights of recovery, from $20,000 to $30,000 to about $8,000 and $10,000, Mr Lim had said.

“If you are on MediShield, your burden will drop by about half, to about $4,000 to $5,000. Come Nov 1, under MediShield Life, it will drop to about $3,000,” he had said.

Professor Tambyah, an infectious diseases expert, said MediShield Life still requires those aged 80 and under to pay a deductible each policy year of S$1,500 for C-Class wards and S$2,000 for B2 wards — amounts that he said many elderly cannot afford. A deductible is the amount one has to pay before insurance kicks in.

Mr Lim also did not tell residents that co-insurance under MediShield Life ranges from 3 to 10 per cent and that there is a maximum claim limit per year, said Prof Tambyah. He maintained that the scheme is “based on profits, not people”.

Prof Tambyah also addressed the PAP’s Tanjong Pagar GRC candidate Chia Shi-Lu’s comments that a system of free healthcare would entail a long waiting time for cancer treatment.

The SDP is not asking for free healthcare, but a “fair universal health insurance scheme”, said Prof Tambyah, who is contesting in Holland-Bukit Timah GRC.

Under the British system, which Dr Chia had cited, patients have to wait for elective surgery, but not emergency surgery, Prof Tambyah added.

Speakers at the SDP’s rally in Bukit Panjang yesterday also spoke up against the high cost of living and the need for the party to have a presence in Parliament.

Secretary-general Chee Soon Juan said the SDP wants Central Provident Fund (CPF) savings returned to retirees, higher interest rates for CPF savings, an increase of the Government’s portion of healthcare expenditure from 30 per cent to 70 per cent, and free taxi rides for those above 80 years old for essential medical appointments.

He said the SDP wants a more compassionate society and one with unfettered minds.

SDP’s Bukit Panjang candidate Khung Wai Yeen, a 34-year-old account manager, spoke about a Member of Parliament’s role to scrutinise Bills. He said residents have said PAP incumbent Teo Ho Pin is a “very nice guy” and an “auntie killer” who organises many social events for the elderly.

Promising he would do more for the elderly, Mr Khung said: “I will make your children’s life less stressful by lowering the cost of living. I will make them less worried about high healthcare costs. I will make them happier by making HDB (flats) truly affordable.

“When your children... are less stressed, less worried and happier, they will have the time to spend with you. Is that better than going for a line-dancing class or a trip to Malaysia to eat durian?”