Needy kids get more help with healthcare costs

The Government yesterday unveiled enhancements to the marriage and parenthood package, to the tune of $2 billion. This morning, Health Minister Gan Kim Yong elaborated on the health-related initiatives included in the package:

-  MediShield coverage will be extended to include congenital and neonatal conditions. With this extension, Singaporean newborns born on or after 1 Mar 2013 will be covered by MediShield from birth, without having to be assessed for pre-existing conditions.  

-  To help families cover the cost of MediShield premiums for their newborns, the Government will deposit a one-off grant of $3,000 into the Medisave accounts of all newborn citizens born on or after 26 Aug 2012.  This grant can also go towards defraying other healthcare expenses, such as vaccinations and hospitalisations.

-  Families needing more assistance will also be able to draw on the new Medifund Junior scheme to help defray the cost of their children’s medical bills.

Read more about these health-related initiatives here .