Press Releases
Economic Recession and Medifund
24 March 2009
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24 Mar 2009
Question No: 942
Question
Name of the Person: Ellen Lee Geck Hoon
To ask the Minister for Health in view of the economic recession where more people especially the matured/older Singaporeans are affected by unemployment or retrenchment (a) whether the Government will consider relaxing the rules for application to MediFund; and (b) whether successful applicants will be able to receive financial assistance to pay their hospital bills fully.
Reply
Reply From MOH
1. We have significantly increased the budget allocation to Medifund and we have also advised the Medifund committees to render assistance in a flexible and compassionate manner. The jobless, the retrenched and the needy elderly will all be helped.
2. The quantum of assistance to the patients will depend on the financial situation of each case. It is common for Medifund to pay the outstanding hospital bill in full, on behalf of the patient.