HEALTHCARE SUBSIDY SAVINGS ACHIEVED WITH USE OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY ANNUAL VALUE FOR MEANS TESTING

NOTICE PAPER NO. 2453 
NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR WRITTEN ANSWER
FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON OR AFTER 10 JANUARY 2024

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song
MP for Aljunied GRC 

Question No. 5517

To ask the Minister for Health since September 2022 (a) what is the total value of healthcare subsidies saved with the introduction of the use of residential property Annual Value (AV) for means testing; and (b) whether the Ministry has given further consideration to removing the AV as a means testing criterion for healthcare subsidies.

Answer

1        The amount of healthcare subsidies provided to Singaporeans has increased significantly over years.

2        Performing means-testing based on Per Capita Household Income or Annual Value of residential property is to ensure that even as the amount of subsidies increase, more subsidies continue to be channelled to Singaporeans who need them the most. It is not a means to save healthcare subsidies.

3        Patients who face difficulties in paying their medical bills after subsidies, insurance and MediSave can apply for financial assistance schemes such as MediFund, where their circumstances will be holistically assessed.