Daily Lessons from Life 18 February 2013 - Healthcare forum debates sustainability of 3M system

"Healthcare forum debates sustainability of 3M system - CNA 19 Feb 2013 0007 Hours

SINGAPORE: A comprehensive review, or a complete do-away with the Medisave, Medishield and MediFund schemes?

These were some of the questions raised at a forum on Singapore's healthcare policies.

The forum, held at the National University of Singapore's Tembusu College, saw a panel of health experts speak on the challenges and gaps in the Singapore healthcare system.

Medisave, Medishield and MediFund, or the 3Ms, cover between 10 and 15 per cent of Singaporeans' total healthcare expenditure, said Dr Phua Kai Hong, who is from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.

Some at the forum asked if coverage should be increased to lower citizens' out-of-pocket spending.

Singapore currently spends about 4 per cent of its GDP on healthcare every year. This is compared to an average of 9.6 per cent for other advanced economies.

Several panellists called for a thorough review of the healthcare system.

"There's far too much emphasis on the financial sustainability of the system. Often this is to the detriment of the individual patient. So the patient has to struggle with means testing, with going to family members to tap on their Medisave accounts… In this national conversation, how can we ensure better financial protection of the individual, even if the state assumes a little bit more of this risk? If we can do that, I think many Singaporeans (would be able to) genuinely have that peace of mind," said Dr Jeremy Lim, who is a principal consultant with Insights Health Associates.

"Healthcare is a basic human right; most of us do not choose to get sick… As a society we need to pull our risk together and that's why we believe a compulsory health insurance system, administered through central means, is the best way of doing this," said Paul Ananth Tambyah, who is an associate professor at the National University of Singapore's Yong Yoo Lin School of Medicine.

However Dr Lam Pin Min, who is chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee (GPC) for Health, said that there was no perfect healthcare system.

"Having had the 3M system for the past 20 years, we (know) what they can do and what they cannot do. If the Ministry of Health is able to have a thorough review, the 3M system (could) evolve (into) a better system," said Dr Lam."

A good SERIOUS START to looking at the CENTRAL QUESTION: to give Singaporeans the peace of mind that their health care costs will not be crippling - to themselves and their loved ones!

Lessons for me are:

1. some independent health care experts have spoken;

2. the Government representative is present and as is expected threw up the qualifier, which EVERYONE knows, 'the is NO perfect system!' - redundant in my opinion. Hopefully, his follow through statement that if the Ministry of Health is able to have a thorough review, the 3M System (could) evolve (into) a better system' will be the FOCUS of the government and NOT, as seen in the Population White Paper debate the week before, giving many, probably, valid reasons why something cannot be done!;

3. of course, in this process, MOH Minister Mr Gan's mantra of: the best medicine is PREVENTION must continue to be one of the cornerstones of Singapore Health policies. A mission given to the Health Promotion Board (HPB) to which I am volunteering as a Health Ambassador!

One big concerns of Singaporeans besides the mismatch in infrastructure with the out-of-control inflow of foreigners (FWs, FAKE FTs and BAD FEs that Singaporeans do not want!). This will good a long way to shore up the sagging confidence in the government's ability to provide 'good quality life' to Singaporeans.