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
