Chee Hong Tat
Singapore
“The National Parks Board (NParks) resumed crow shooting operations in March 2026 across nine districts, including Yishun. These sites were prioritised based on several factors, including the volume and severity of public feedback on crow-related issues, as well as the technical feasibility of conducting shooting operations safely at each…”
“To drive sustainable construction and reduce reliance on conventional diesel generators, the Housing and Development Board (HDB) has required the use of battery energy storage systems (BESS) or synchronised generator set systems at Build-to-Order construction worksites for all building tenders called since February 2025.”
“The Housing and Development Board (HDB) tracks resident feedback on maintenance-related issues, including spalling concrete and structural cracks within HDB flats. Such issues are much less common in younger flats, compared to older flats above 30 years old.”
“The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) provides resources on its website to guide building owners and Management Corporations Strata Title (MCSTs) on lift modernisation.”
“Private retail developments sold through the Government Land Sales Programme are intended to complement the commercial offerings in public developments undertaken by agencies, such as the Housing and Development Board.”
“The National Parks Board (NParks) is reviewing both the Animals and Birds Act and the Code of Animal Welfare (COAW). The former will include pet sector businesses and the latter will include and start with pet groomers.”
The complete record
Every one of 1,840 lines we hold for Chee Hong Tat, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 34 of 37.
“Second, we will cut red tape and simplify our licensing regime to reduce compliance costs for businesses. The Pro-Enterprise Panel (PEP) is currently working with the Association of Catering Professionals Singapore to do a deep dive into the regulatory requirements for the food sector. The food industry is not the biggest sector in our economy, but we chose to start with this as a pilot because we believe the regulatory improvements can benefit many of our SMEs and workers. Currently, companies can have up to 14 regulatory touchpoints with different Government agencies before they can set up a food shop. We asked ourselves, is it really necessary to have 14 touchpoints? I believe we can do better. The PEP is working with the Smart Nation and Digital Government Office and GovTech on this review. We have set for ourselves an ambitious target to streamline the 14 forms into one form and to correspondingly reduce the time taken and licence fees which companies have to pay to start a food business. I do not know if this pilot will succeed but we will try. As Minister Ong Ye Kung advised us when we embarked on the review, “Think big, start small, act fast.” We will begin with this pilot, learn from the experience and extend the concept to other sectors subsequently. I believe these moves can have a positive impact on businesses by reducing regulatory costs and speeding up the application processes. They also help to shape a more positive pro-enterprise culture amongst our Government agencies. Third, we will encourage experimentation via mechanisms, such as regulatory sandboxes. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has introduced a regulatory sandbox framework for the financial technology or fintech industry.”
“We do not take this responsibility lightly. Because poorly designed or outdated rules can have unintended consequences. Where possible, we want to allow market forces to work efficiently, so that enterprises can compete fairly and achieve the best outcomes for society and consumers. And we know we have to regularly review our rules because technology and business models change. When rules are set smartly, fairly and in a pro-business manner, our people and our companies benefit. This nimbleness sets us apart from other countries. Companies want to set up shop in Singapore because they know that here, they can operate in a trusted and reliable environment which is dynamic and connected with the world. They can pioneer a new business idea in Singapore, prove that it works and then export it around the world. Our Government agencies are fully on board. We will do the following. First, we will proactively seek feedback from businesses to make it a part of our DNA and our instincts to be pro-enterprise; to continuously improve our rules and licensing framework, speed up processes and facilitate new business ideas. One example is how AVA and SCDF worked with the Singapore Manufacturing Federation to enhance regulations for cold stores. Previously, fire prevention compartment walls in cold stores posed hygiene concerns as they could attract pests. Based on industry feedback, the agencies worked with SMF to allow an alternative insulation material which will retard the spread of fire without posing hygiene risks. It is a win-win outcome, which helped companies save several thousands of dollars per year for each cold store. It also demonstrated how Government agencies can work with industry partners to adopt pro-business approaches without affecting regulatory objectives.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, I support the Motion. Sir, we must and we will pursue economic growth. We must grow so that Singaporeans can have good jobs and opportunities. We must grow so that we have the resources to build our home, to take care of one another and to protect ourselves. We must grow for our children, to give them a better future. Singapore is now a more mature economy. Our workforce will not increase as quickly as before. In GDP terms, we will not grow as fast as before. But growth is much more than just GDP. We can grow in many more dimensions. Earlier this week, Minister Chan Chun Sing painted the vision of Singapore Unlimited. We can grow in productivity, so that our companies and workers do things smarter, faster and better than others. We can grow in skills, so that if you want to get difficult things done reliably and creatively, you will get it done through Singaporean workers and Singaporean companies. We can grow in innovation, so that if companies want to create products and services to serve the fastest growing area in the world, which is Asia, they will come to Singapore to turn their ideas into reality. To grow, we must do three things. First, we must be pro-business in our rules and regulations. Second, we must be pro-Singapore: believe that our local companies and workers can compete with the very best. And, third, we must be pro-talent so that our people can have the best opportunities in Singapore. Sir, the Government’s role is not to pick winners or to think that we know how to run companies better than our entrepreneurs, that we know more about business operations than our workers on the ground. We do not. Our focus is to set good rules and regulations, to protect our consumers and to foster a pro-business, pro-worker environment.”
“The second clarification on prohibited films, I think this is why IMDA and MCI, we take a very judicious and careful approach to exercising the powers under section 35 on prohibited films. Every decision that is taken under section 35, something that we have to go through very careful consideration, and it should be used really as a last resort because there are many other ways – through classification, for example – to be able to deal with some of the risks and concerns. But we want to keep section 35 provisions to deal with films with egregious content. So, I want to assure Assoc Prof Goh and the House that these powers will be exercised in a careful and judicious manner. [(proc text) Question put, and agreed to. (proc text)] [(proc text) Bill accordingly read a Second time. (proc text)] Assoc Prof Dr Yaacob Ibrahim: Sir, before I respond to that, could I just add a small paragraph to my speech?”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, I thank Assoc Prof Daniel Goh for his clarifications. The first point, I do not think I said that race, religion and politics are not sensitive issues. I think what I clarified earlier was that I asked Assoc Prof Goh whether he was referring to the closing note in which he quoted the remarks from IMDA and MCI, and whether that remark that he was referring to actually came from the section in the closing note touching on co-classification. That was my clarification to Assoc Prof Goh and he has confirmed that that was where he saw that phrase. So, I wanted to just put it in context that when we say that race, religion, politics were mentioned as sensitive subject matters, it was in the context of co-classification. We are not opening up this co-classification arrangement to films with content touching on race, religion and politics for a start. That was the basis of my clarification earlier. The point that Assoc Prof Goh made about then was should we have films that touch on race, religion and politics to raise awareness, to generate discussion? I think that was the point that he asked. Certainly, I think we do have many of such films. In fact, not too long ago, our Parliamentary colleague, Dr Janil Puthucheary, was involved in two films with Channel NewsAsia touching on race and religion. And there are many other films by filmmakers. Both the filmmakers who are working on films with political content, films touching on race, on religion, I think we can find plenty of examples. What I mentioned earlier was that these films are allowed but they will go through IMDA's classification system. Some may be given, depending on the content. So, it is case by case.”
“I agree with him that is important to know our history. But we also need safeguards to prevent distortion and misrepresentation of facts. There will be different accounts of the formative events of our nationhood, but there are also basic facts which are not matters of opinion, and which successors and sympathisers of the protagonists at the time are still trying to deny. Not all narratives are equally truthful and valid. I believe Assoc Prof Daniel Goh may be referring to the two prohibited films under section 35: Zahari's 17 Years and Dr Lim Hock Siew. The two films are prohibited as they gave distorted and misleading portrayals of Dr Lim and Said Zahari's arrest and detention under the ISA in 1963. The two men were involved in communist activities and had posed a threat to the interests and security of Singapore. The films made baseless accusations against the authorities and undermine public confidence in the Government. This has nothing to do with the politics today. The fight with the communists is over. But the stance we take with regard to these actions by certain individuals in the past, to distort the facts and to use false portrayals to exculpate their guilt, can have an impact on what others may do in the future which could then affect our national security and public safety. Sir, looking at how far our films and media sectors have come, I believe we can continue to strike the right balance between freedom of speech and protecting the interest of Singapore and Singaporeans.”
“This includes the films industry making, viewing and disseminating films with political content under IMDA's classification system. Our safeguards are intended to protect public interest against egregious content. This is how we have found a balance between freedom of speech, creative expression and safeguarding our collective greater good. There is significant space in between. It is not one or the other, neither "free for all" nor "nothing at all". Sir, Assoc Prof Daniel Goh mentioned about Party Political Films (PPF) under section 33. Section 33 is intended for PPFs which seek to sensationalise or distort serious issues to evoke emotional, rather than logical debate based on facts. They thereby have the risk of harming our political discourse. But not all films with political content are PPFs. There are, in fact, many films that deal with political content and serious issues in ways that inform Singaporeans, that both enrich our media space and our political space. We should not compare PPFs to other films. They are a different category of films, given the impact that they could have on the integrity of our elections as well as the broader political discourse in Singapore. The issue of PPFs is a basic judgement, whether it is better to debate political issues with words and logic, or with images and emotions. Given the harm that PPFs can cause to rational political discourse, we believe there is strong reason, and it is prudent, to maintain the current provisions against the making of PPFs. And let me assure the House that IMDA will continue to be judicious in administering the provisions. Sir, Assoc Prof Daniel Goh also mentioned events in the 1950s and 1960s and how they are important for understanding how we have become who we are.”
“Thank you, Sir. Sir, Assoc Prof Daniel Goh asked how MCI intends to achieve a balance between freedom of speech, freedom to discuss issues of race, religion, politics, and safeguarding important values, such as racial and religious harmony. He cited a closing note to our public consultation where race, religion, politics were mentioned as sensitive subject matters. Sir, that section of the note was about co-classification. First, I want to confirm with Assoc Prof Daniel Goh if my understanding is correct, that the section that he was referring to refers to co-classification? [(proc text) The hon Member Assoc Prof Daniel Goh indicated agreement. (proc text)] Thank you, Assoc Prof Daniel Goh. So, for that section, Sir, we laid out what we want to do to work in partnership with industry and with film CAs to co-classify films. Minister Yaacob had explained this earlier in his opening speech. We are starting with films up to PG13 to reduce the impact of any misclassification. IMDA is also excluding films with content on race, religion or politics from co-classification. Such content could be sensitive, depending on how they are presented. We are, hence, starting the scheme with other categories of films. I think it is important, and I would like to clarify, we should not quote that specific line out of context. It is referring to co-classification. Sir, if I may continue to respond to some of the comments from Assoc Prof Daniel Goh. IMDA has and will continue to classify films and provide age-appropriate ratings and consumer advisories so that Singaporeans, both young and old, can make informed viewing choices. There is no lack of avenues to raise issues and to debate in real life or online in Singapore.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, may I have your permission to join the debate by seeking some clarifications and responding to some of the points made by Assoc Prof Daniel Goh?”
“Mr Speaker, I thank Dr Tan for his supplementary question. Indeed, I think he is right that the help that we provide to our residents suffering from incontinence is not just for treatment but also in other areas like consumables, diapers, for example. If seniors require adult diapers, they can apply for assistance under the Seniors Mobility and Enabling Fund (SMF). The fund provides means-tested subsidies of 50% or 80% for consumables, such as diapers. It would be something that we would be happy to work with Dr Tan Wu Meng and his team in Clementi to raise awareness and to reach out to his residents who require such assistance.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I thank Er Dr Lee for her supplementary question and suggestion. I certainly agree with her that prevention is better than cure. That is the approach that we take in the Ministry of Health (MOH). And HPB will be happy to work with our Regional Health Systems, our healthcare institutions, to be able to reach out to residents in the community to raise awareness and to give talks focusing on prevention, on health promotion. This is something which we will continue to work with our community partners, including our grassroots organisations and community leaders, to reach out to our residents.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to thank Er Dr Lee Bee Wah for raising this important question on behalf of her residents. We certainly share her view that for seniors suffering from incontinence, we would encourage them to seek treatment early. We do not have data on the total number of seniors suffering from incontinence, as patients could be seeing their doctors for other primary conditions, such as urinary infection, prostate problems or post-stroke treatment, which include treatment for incontinence. Mr Speaker, over the past three years, around 2,900 seniors aged 65 and above received subsidised treatment specifically for incontinence at polyclinics and Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) General Practitioners (GPs). This would be a subset of the total number of seniors seeking treatment for incontinence. Among this group of 2,900 seniors, those who received treatment at the polyclinics paid a median annual cost, after subsidies, of less than $10 in 2016. The cost and treatment required for each patient will depend on the nature and severity of his condition. Seniors receive subsidies of up to 75% when they visit polyclinics. Seniors who require further financial assistance after Government subsidies may seek help from the medical social workers at our public healthcare institutions.”
“Mr Chairman, I thank Mr Louis Ng for his question. I apologise for not having enough time to address it earlier during my speech. The CDMP, in deciding what conditions are covered, we have a CDMP Clinical Advisory Committee which comprises healthcare professionals from the public, as well as the private sector. They will review the various conditions based on considerations, such as the disease's prevalence and the effectiveness of earlier interventions to reduce complications. So, certainly, we will refer the suggestion from Mr Louis Ng to the Advisory Committee for their discussion and review.”
“We will also lower the eligible age for Flexi-MediSave, which is currently set at 65. From June this year, Singaporeans aged 60 and above can use up to $200 of their MediSave per year, for outpatient medical treatments at public sector Specialist Outpatient Clinics (SOCs), polyclinics and CHAS GPs. This expansion of Flexi-MediSave will benefit an additional 260,000 Singaporeans between the ages of 60 and 64. To conclude, Mr Chairman, we need to transform our healthcare system so that it remains sustainable and affordable for all Singaporeans. Productivity, Partnerships and Prevention are key enablers. Everyone needs to play our part to stay healthy and prevent healthcare costs from rising too rapidly. Together, we can achieve better health and a better life for our people.”
“An important aspect of Prevention focuses on early screening and intervention. Last year, I announced the enhancements to the Screen for Life programme where eligible Singaporeans can have access to subsidised health screenings at a cost of $5, which includes the first post-screening consultation with a doctor. CHAS cardholders ‒ both orange and blue ‒ will pay $2, while the package is free for Pioneers. Dr Chia Shi-Lu asked whether the Ministry is considering further enhancements to CDMP as well as the Flexi-MediSave Scheme. I recalled Ms Thanaletchimi had raised a similar query during a previous COS debate. From June this year, MOH will make the following enhancements to CDMP. These will also broaden the coverage of our CHAS chronic subsidies. First, we will extend the scope of diabetes to cover pre-diabetes. Based on current trends, one in three people with pre-diabetes could develop Type-2 diabetes within eight years. Through early detection and intervention, we hope more patients with pre-diabetes can improve their condition and avoid developing diabetes. Second, we will expand the list of CDMP conditions to cover ischaemic heart disease (IHD), bringing the total number of covered conditions to 20. This will benefit all our patients with IHD, even if their condition is not linked to diabetes or hypertension. Third, we will enhance the support for diabetics who require insulin injections, as they require lancets and test strips to regularly monitor their blood glucose levels. To support these patients, MOH will extend CDMP to lancets and test strips. In addition, we will raise the withdrawal limit for MediSave400 scheme by 25%, from $400 per year to $500 per year. This will take effect from June this year.”
“Let me be clear that MOH is not issuing these requirements to bail out the insurers. Our objective is to address the concerns with overconsumption, over-servicing and overcharging as these will lead to patients and policyholders paying rapidly escalating fees and premiums over time. It will be an unsustainable and undesirable outcome for Singapore, especially when we are ageing as a society. Policyholders can continue to tap on MediSave to pay for their co-payment amounts under the new riders. At 5% co-payment, half of the inpatient bills in 2016 would have a co-payment amount of $100 or less. Three quarters of inpatient bills would have co-payment of $250 or less. Nine in 10 inpatient bills would have a co-payment of $550 or less. The 5% co-payment can be covered within the current MediSave withdrawal limits for 99% of all inpatient bills. For private hospital inpatient bills, in 2016, one in two would have a co-payment of $380 or less. Three in four would have a co-payment of $670 or less, and nine in 10 would have a co-payment of $1,270 or less. The above requirements will apply to new rider policies. We recognise that existing rider policies are commercial contracts between insurers and their policyholders. If insurers intend to make changes to their existing policies, they should consider the interest and well-being of all policyholders as they seek to keep premiums affordable for everyone in the longer term. The requirements for new riders will not affect MediShield Life and IPs which already have co-payment features. For patients who face financial difficulties with their bills, MediFund remains available as a safety net to ensure they continue to have access to quality subsidised healthcare in our public hospitals. Let me now move to the third P – Prevention.”
“These increases will ultimately be borne by all Singaporeans through higher medical fees, insurance premiums and taxes, which all of us will pay directly or indirectly. So, I am glad there is support from both sides of the House on the need for co-payment to keep healthcare expenditures sustainable and affordable for all Singaporeans over the longer term. Ms Salma Khalik has also written an insightful piece in today's Straits Times. We have to make a change now to prevent the problem from becoming worse in future. In line with the HITF’s recommendation, MOH will issue the following requirements for all new rider plans with immediate effect. New IP riders must incorporate co-payment of 5% or more. To address concerns from some policyholders that they may face high co-payment amounts due to the unlikely event of very large bills, the new riders will have a cap on the co-payment amount each year. Most insurers are planning to launch their new riders with an annual cap of $3,000, though they are allowed to set higher thresholds. This places an upper limit on the risk exposure of policyholders, to protect them against very large bills. New riders will be available within a year. In the meantime, insurers can continue selling their existing rider plans but must inform new policyholders that they will transit to the new riders with co-payment from 1 April 2021. Once the new riders are ready, these policyholders can choose to switch to the new riders earlier if they wish to do so, and any pre-existing conditions that are covered prior the switch will not be excluded. We expect the new riders to have lower premiums than full riders, so the switch will result in premium savings for policyholders.”
“Some of the examples of over-consumption and over-servicing are, to put it plainly, disturbing. In one case, a full rider policyholder made claims for 12 nose scopes in a year without clear medical need. We also have patients who are admitted for gastritis or piles and then referred to many other specialties ranging from dermatology, ophthalmology, ear, nose and throat, and orthopaedics, for additional scans and tests. The final bill? Up to $25,000 for a hospital stay that was less than 24 hours. There was also a full rider policyholder who underwent an expensive surgery for a small breast lump removal that cost $70,000 in doctor's fees alone, when there was an equally effective alternative procedure which costs only $5,000. To be fair, not all doctors prescribed such expensive treatments, and not all full rider policyholders submit such large claims. But it is clear that full riders have a detrimental impact on overall healthcare cost in Singapore. This is a key reason why rider premiums have increased by up to 225% over the past two years. The negative impact of the zero co-payment feature extends beyond full rider policyholders. Over the last two years, IP premiums have also risen by up to 80%, with older policyholders and those on private hospital plans experiencing higher increases. If this trend continues, I am worried that IP and rider policyholders will find their insurance premiums increasingly unaffordable as they age. The zero co-payment feature of riders also pushes up healthcare costs in Singapore. Over-consumption, over-servicing, over-charging of healthcare services will lead to faster and larger increases in overall healthcare expenditure.”
“As I have said in this House at a previous Sitting, most of our doctors do charge appropriately, as they have their patients' well-being at heart. But for the ones who charge excessive fees, please know that MOH is monitoring and will take action against doctors who overcharge. During the Budget Debate, Ms Sylvia Lim suggested reviewing medical insurance schemes to include deductibles and co-payments, to discourage over-consumption and inefficient use of resources. This was similar to the earlier recommendations from HITF which Dr Chia Shi-Lu has asked for an update. Let me explain why these are important issues and what MOH intends to do. Every Singaporean Citizen and Permanent Resident (PR) is covered by MediShield Life. Today, about two in three Singapore residents have also bought IPs, and these are private insurance products that offer added coverage. Both MediShield Life and IPs have co-payment features in the form of deductibles and co-insurance, and their premiums can be paid using MediSave. Among those who have bought IPs, some have paid additional cash, for what is known as "full riders". These cover the entire co-payment under the IP plan so that the policyholder ends up paying nothing, regardless of the bill size. Currently, about 29% of Singapore Residents have these full riders. As highlighted in the HITF's report, the zero co-payment feature of these full riders has resulted in the buffet syndrome, leading to over-consumption, over-servicing and over-charging of healthcare services. In 2016, the average medical bill size for full rider policyholders was about 60% higher than the average bill size for those without riders, even though rider policyholders are younger and generally in better health.”
“15 pm On average, an elderly Singaporean aged 65 and above obtains more than six times the amount of Government subsidies per year, compared to younger Singaporeans below 65. Besides higher MediShield Life premium subsidies, they also receive 50% more subsidies in polyclinics. For PG, they enjoy further benefits, such as special CHAS subsidies at GP clinics, additional MediShield Life premium subsidies and MediSave top-ups every year. So, rather than having "reverse discrimination" against older Singaporeans, our healthcare system is, in fact, providing them with more financial subsidies. We do the same for the lower- and middle-income Singaporeans. Singaporeans support this financing approach because it is consistent with our values to build a fair and just society. Mr Chairman, beyond healthcare financing, partnership amongst all stakeholders is also needed to ensure that quality care is delivered at sustainable and affordable cost for Singaporeans. Since May 2017, MOH has issued Appropriate Care Guidelines on medical treatment and drugs to guide healthcare providers making decisions that are based on clinical and cost effectiveness. Last year, the Singapore Medical Council revised their ethical guidelines for doctors indicating that fees paid to Third-Party Administrators must not be based on a proportion of the doctor's fees, or what is commonly known as "fee splitting". This is to prevent unnecessary inflation of healthcare costs. In January this year, MOH set up a Fees Benchmarks Advisory Committee to recommend and develop fee benchmarks for medical procedures and services. The purpose is to encourage appropriate charging by healthcare providers and enable patients and payers to make better informed decisions.”
“The MediShield Life Review Committee wanted MediShield Life to be a basic health insurance plan for all Singaporeans. The objective was to provide coverage for large hospital bills based on inpatient treatment at subsidised wards, as well as costly outpatient treatments like dialysis and chemotherapy. For the scheme to remain sustainable, premiums are computed to be actuarially sound. The Government then provides means-tested subsidies and additional premium support to ensure that premiums remain affordable for lower- and middle-income Singaporeans. This is a progressive and inclusive scheme. On MediShield Life deductibles, the amount is set for each policy year and not for each treatment. The deductible amount can be paid using MediSave and Singaporeans who require further financial support can approach our medical social workers for assistance. As older policyholders incur higher medical bills in each policy year compared to younger cohorts, their premiums are higher to reflect the larger and more frequent claims. There is a trade-off between the deductible amount and premiums, with lower deductible amounts resulting in higher premiums. On balance, the Committee recommended a higher deductible for those aged 81 and above to reduce their premiums. The Government accepted the Committee's recommendations. Recognising that policyholders will pay higher premiums as they age, the Government has provided higher MediShield Life premium subsidies for older Singaporeans. This is in line with the progressive design of our healthcare financing system, with more Government subsidies going to older Singaporeans and those from lower- and middle-income families. 5.”
“Besides working closely with public healthcare institutions, we collaborate with private sector providers to tap on their expertise and resources. For example, a local startup, Kronikare, developed a smartphone application using AI to analyse wounds. It can do so within seconds to detect early stages of infection, a task that previously required two or more nurses up to 30 minutes to perform. In the ILTC sector, MOH invites VWOs and private operators to tender for operating rights at our Build-Own-Lease (BOL) facilities, and we partner private operators to provide subsidised nursing home care through the Portable Subsidy Scheme (PSS). BOL and PSS operators are appointed via competitive requests-for-proposal, where operators propose and commit to their fees and charges for subsidised residents. As Miss Cheng Li Hui said, this can help to ensure prices for quality care remain reasonable. MOH supports providers, including private nursing homes, with manpower development and productivity initiatives. Mr Chairman, partnerships also mean all stakeholders – patients and caregivers, healthcare providers and professionals, insurers and employers, and the Government – working together on a common goal to keep healthcare costs sustainable and affordable for everyone over the longer term. At the most fundamental level, it is in the philosophy and design of our healthcare financing system. During the Budget Debate, Ms Sylvia Lim asked if the higher MediShield Life deductible for older policyholders was a form of "reverse discrimination". This is not the case. We should look at the complete picture rather than focus on a single observation in isolation. Allow me to clarify.”
“Mr Chairman, a key priority for MOH is to keep our healthcare system sustainable and affordable for this generation and future generations. I will elaborate on our efforts to achieve this outcome under the three Ps: Productivity, Partnerships and Prevention. Let me start with Productivity. Dr Chia Shi-Lu and Mr Gan Thiam Poh asked how MOH encourages healthcare innovation and productivity. We set up the Healthcare Tripartite Committee for Workforce Innovation and Productivity in 2016. The Committee has reviewed rules and policies based on ground feedback to streamline work processes, encourage adoption of smart technology and empower different groups of healthcare workers to maximise their contributions. MOH introduced the Healthcare Productivity Fund (HPF) in 2012. More than 250 projects have been implemented so far, benefiting over 70 public healthcare and community care organisations. Our productivity movement is achieving good progress. To encourage more to participate and seize opportunities to improve productivity, we will add another $80 million in productivity funding to HPF over the next three years to support our institutions and healthcare workers. Use of smart technologies will be integrated in existing and upcoming public healthcare facilities to increase system-level productivity, improve patient care and prepare our healthcare facilities for the future. The productivity efforts extend beyond hospitals to the community. AIC will collaborate with providers to redesign traditionally manpower-intensive processes, such as rehabilitation and showering. AIC will also help providers to adopt assistive equipment, such as ceiling hoists, to ease the physical strain on our healthcare workers. I will now speak on the next P: Partnerships.”
“Chairman, I thank the Member for his clarifications. Yes, I think the short answer is MCI, IMDA will work closely with the broadcaster Mediacorp. We will also work closely with the grassroots organisations, the community organisations to make sure that we have clear, simple to understand communications that we can then roll out to help all our residents to understand how they can go through this conversion. So, do not worry, we will work closely with all our partners to make sure that this is done properly.”
“Mr Chairman, can I first clarify with the Member whether he is asking about translation or is he asking about the package to roll out to help our residents?”
“Both SPH and Mediacorp are looking at this using data analytics, using more targeted communications and marketing, and this is still a work-in-progress. The other points that Mr Zaqy Mohamad mentioned are all part and parcel of the challenge that we face in the modern media environment. Consumers have more options, and content is going to be king. So, to compete, we need to make sure that we have good quality content, whether it is good quality news reports, opinion pieces, documentaries, good quality entertainment. So, good quality local content which is difficult for overseas players to replicate and where we can then have an emotional resonance and connection with Singaporeans.”
“Chairman, I thank Mr Zaqy Mohamad for his clarifications. First, we need to understand that viewership and readership of mainstream media – Mediacorp, SPH – have not been reduced. What happened is that in the case of SPH, instead of reading the hardcopy newspapers, more of their readers are now shifting online and getting their news through mobile devices, through their iPads. This is the same for Mediacorp where we see that people are not necessarily watching television programmes in front of a TV set, but they are watching it online through Toggle. Yesterday, Mr Vikram Nair said that that is his viewing behaviour as well; he will view it on Toggle. Toggle has an advantage in the sense that you can do catch-up. If you are not available during the time when the programme is showing, you can do a catch-up later at your own time and convenience. The challenge that our mainstream media companies are faced with right now is that even though the overall readership, viewership numbers are there, we need to find a more effective way of monetising these online. The advertising revenues on traditional platforms through your newspapers, TV, when you compare to the advertising revenue currently online, there is still a difference. I think that is the main challenge that the mainstream media companies are facing. 11.15 am Yesterday, Mr Ganesh Rajaram spoke about New York Times and he gave a very good example of how they managed to increase their online subscriptions and they do this not just by targeting local readers, it is a global readership base. Similarly, for us, we have to think how do we find effective ways of monetising our online reach.”
“As the Malay proverb goes, "Bukit sama didaki, lurah sama dituruni" – we overcome obstacles together and enjoy the fruits of our hard work together. There is also a Tamil proverb, "ஒன்றுபட்டால் உண்டு வாழ்வு ", which means "unity is strength". And as I said in my COS speech in 2016, we are committed to getting our translations correct: "சரியான மொழிபெயர்ப்பே நமது கடப்பாடு ". Mr Chairman, please allow me to conclude my speech in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] In a multicultural and multiracial society like Singapore, translation plays an important role. It helps the Government better explain our policies, thereby benefiting our people and promoting understanding amongst the races. We are aware of the challenges we face as society and technology evolve. However, NTC, together with like-minded partners, will persevere in carrying on this meaningful and important mission, which is also of cultural significance.”
“We have awarded six Information Service (Translation) Scholarships since 2015 to groom young Singaporeans who have a strong interest in translation. The National Translation Committee (NTC) also launched the Translation Talent Development Scheme (TTDS) earlier this year to provide funding support for translators and interpreters in the industry to attend seminars and courses to enhance their skills and expertise. Next, on technology. In partnership with public sector agencies, we have enhanced the Government Terms Translated Database, hosted on gov.sg, to cover more than 6,200 Government-related terms translated into Chinese, Malay and Tamil. I agree with Mr Low Thia Khiang that it is important to organise our online resources to be accessible, convenient and user-friendly. We will discuss his suggestions with the NTC members. MCI is working with the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) to develop a Customised Government Machine Translation Engine. The engine is "trained" using translations from MCI and other Government agencies, enabling it to correctly translate local terms. Finally, on teamwork: NTC launched the Community-in-Translation (CiT) initiative in 2016 to raise awareness and interest in translation among our young. Under this initiative, NTC worked with several partners to conduct translation workshops for students in all three Mother Tongue languages and supported schools in organising translation competitions. Mr Chairman, in our multiracial community, raising translation standards is an important focus for the Government. I am grateful for the contributions from our NTC and resource panel members from the various language communities and our industry partners.”
“I believe these new titles will offer more entertainment options for our viewers. The fourth and final "C" is collaboration. The need for collaboration applies to our mainstream media companies SPH and Mediacorp, too, as Mr Ganesh Rajaram pointed out. After a successful two-year collaboration, SPH and StarHub recently renewed their partnership for another two years. They will continue their tie-ups in areas, such as cross-media content creation and publishing, data analytics and marketing, where SPH-produced content has been broadcast and promoted across StarHub's pay TV service. Additionally, they will collaborate in their non-media business, to encompass new areas, such as healthcare, retail and education. Mediacorp and SPH have also explored possible areas of collaboration. They launched a joint digital advertising marketplace, Singapore Media Exchange (SMX), consolidating their data resources to unlock new advertising opportunities and provide advertisers richer targeting capabilities. Both companies are also working with IMDA on joint efforts to market the opportunities in Singapore's media sector to better develop our talent pool. These are some examples of how, through partnerships, our media companies can position themselves for a digital age and create more value. Mr Chairman, I thank Mr Low Thia Khiang for giving us an opportunity to update on the National Translation Committee's work since its formation in 2014. Under the three broad thrusts of Talent, Technology and Teamwork, or 3Ts, we have rolled out several initiatives. Due to time constraints, I will just highlight a few examples. First, on talent development.”
“Let me now touch on the need to develop effective channels to reach our viewers. I agree with Mr Vikram Nair that we should extend the reach of PSB programming to engage more Singaporeans. Besides traditional free-to-air channels, IMDA has been actively building partnerships with media players in the digital and online space. An example is IMDA's partnership with Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) to produce and distribute short-form videos through SPH's digital content network. The pilot run last year saw the release of 118 short-form videos. Building on its success, SPH will be producing a second slate of videos comprising more than 120 short-form videos. IMDA also partnered Viddsee, a Singapore-based online video platform specialising in short films, to deliver more engaging PSB content for the younger audiences on its platforms. This is a good example of a company which is using data analytics to drive viewership and monetisation. Viddsee will produce five new original series in collaboration with local filmmakers. The first, the short film Run Chicken Run by Ellie Ngim, was launched last month. Its heart-warming story set during the Chinese New Year period was well-received. IMDA will also continue working with Mediacorp to better engage viewers on its digital platform, Toggle. Since its relaunch in April 2015, Toggle has seen a steady increase in viewership to more than eight million monthly video views today. This is an effort that I think we should continue. I am glad that Mediacorp's analytics tool, RIPPLE, won three BIGGIES Awards at the global Big Data for Media Conference last year. Using RIPPLE, Mediacorp will launch 34 new Toggle Originals this year, up from 13 released last year.”
“I agree with Mr Ganesh Rajaram that talent development is key to quality journalism. It is an important element in supporting the mainstream media's role to provide accurate and objective news reports as well as insightful opinion pieces and documentary programmes. Beyond the newsroom, we are also focused on developing our local talent pool for the industry. IMDA's ongoing Talent Assistance Scheme has been a useful initiative, providing funding support for our media talent to upgrade their skills. From May this year, we will expand the scheme to support media professionals outside the media sector, such as those who are employed in the manufacturing and retail sectors. At last year's COS, we announced the Media Manpower Plan to develop a future-ready media workforce. IMDA has made good progress on the implementation of this plan. I earlier announced that IMDA and SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) are jointly developing the Skills Framework for Media. This is expected to be launched in November 2018 and will cover about 140 media job roles in areas, such as games, broadcast and film. To date, 40 local and overseas stakeholders, including Beach House Productions, Fox Networks Group and Ubisoft, have provided inputs to the framework. Recognising that media freelancers play an important role across the economy, IMDA launched the Tripartite Standard on Procurement of Services from Media Freelancers in November last year. Since then, 52 organisations have adopted the Standard. Starting from 1 April 2018, organisations must adopt the Tripartite Standard in order to qualify for IMDA's media grants and funding for PSB content. I look forward to more organisations coming forward to adopt the Standard over time.”
“I assure Mr Darryl David that smaller companies will also benefit from these programmes. An example is goGame, a Singaporean mobile game publishing company and a subsidiary of SEGA. It has partnered IMDA to launch Singapore's first game accelerator. The accelerator will train early-stage game developers in business strategy, licensing and marketing. Another key focus is to invest in our young. With the support of IMDA, Mediacorp has invested in efforts to build a pipeline of young creative talent through apprenticeship programmes and collaborations with schools. For example, the Chinese-language web drama series, A Lonely Fish, which was released a few days ago on Toggle, was born out of a scriptwriting workshop co-organised by Mediacorp, Ngee Ann Polytechnic and NUS. Three Ngee Ann Polytechnic students, Oh Wei Ting, Tan Lipei and Ong Wenyi, participated in the workshop and came up with the idea for the series. Under the guidance of Mediacorp's scriptwriters and producers, they went through a full production cycle, learning the ropes of scriptwriting, acting and production. Mediacorp also partnered Temasek Polytechnic, Republic Polytechnic and Ngee Ann Polytechnic on a Young Creators Project. Under this initiative, experienced mentors from Mediacorp will guide participating students in content production. Mediacorp has selected 11 student projects to commission, which will launch on Toggle later this year. Our emphasis on nurturing our young underscores an important point. We cannot build effective capabilities without focusing on talent development. The human touch remains essential to the media sector, whose work centres on connecting with people. This applies to our mainstream media, too.”
“For Public Service Broadcasting (PSB), locally produced PSB programmes remain an important avenue to tell our Singaporean stories and present news and entertainment from a Singaporean perspective. Mediacorp will experiment with new content concepts and production techniques through the Content Development Fund (CDF). The call-for-proposal was launched last October. One of the selected proposals is Under Our Sky, an alien-invasion thriller set in Singapore, featuring extensive computer-generated imagery and 360-degree video. The pilot will be released on Toggle early next year. Next, on capabilities, Mr Darryl David asked how we are helping the media sector build capabilities for continued growth. This includes harnessing IM technologies like augmented reality and virtual reality (VR). Under IMDA's partnership with Discovery Networks Asia Pacific, Discovery had commissioned a series of VR titles. The first two titles will be launched later this year. Another two titles are in the works: Living on the Edge, which tells the story of child Muay Thai fighters in Thailand, and Wild Treks, which shows the life of the Bajau Laut, or Sea Gypsies, in Sabah. These titles are produced by local media companies BeVRR and iMMERSiVELY. They will work closely with Discovery to bring their productions to a global audience through Discovery's VR app. IMDA will be working with game technology company Unity to jointly launch Unity Incubator Services at PIXEL Studios. Our companies will benefit from the business and technical workshops designed for facilitating knowledge transfer and sharing best practices in the development of IM applications and games. IMDA will introduce more accelerator and training programmes to support our companies.”
“Mr Chairman, as we embark on our digital transformation journey, we are clear that technology is an enabler, not the end in mind. Our objective is to improve the lives of our people and create good jobs for Singaporeans by harnessing technology and cultivating a spirit of imagination, enterprise and innovation. This is the approach we adopt when we develop Singapore's media sector. Our efforts for the media sector focus on four Cs: Content, Capabilities, Channels and Collaboration. First, on content, which is the heart of the media sector. Compelling stories are what attract audiences. Our local media companies have done well in this regard, creating quality local content appreciated by viewers around the world. For example, Netflix commissioned its first Chinese-language series, Bardo, by teaming up with IFA Media, a local production company, and Taiwan-based director Sam Quah. I am glad that a Singapore-based media company is involved in bringing its stories to a global platform. IMDA will continue to support our local media companies and talent to create quality content as part of its plans to develop Singapore's media sector. We will announce more details later in the year. One important area is to strengthen our partnerships with leading international media companies. For example, the collaboration with Home Box Office (HBO) Asia will open opportunities for Singaporeans to take on key production roles in HBO's upcoming productions. One of these is Folklore, a horror anthology created by local filmmaker Eric Khoo. Another is Grisse, a period drama set in 19th century Java. Both series will premiere in the second half of 2018.”
“Mr Speaker, data security and protection are key considerations in the design and operation of the National Electronic Health Record (NEHR) system. This is achieved through a combination of legislative measures, data management policies, system features and public education. All access to the NEHR system will be governed and authorised by the Ministry of Health (MOH). For example, when a general practitioner (GP) applies for an account to the NEHR, the application will be subjected to MOH’s review and approval before access is granted. Access to individual health records through the NEHR is meant for purposes of direct patient care. Beyond that, any access to individual health records, such as for purposes of coroner’s investigation, will only be granted if it is enabled by the relevant legislation. NEHR information will not be revealed to third parties like insurers and employers. To deter unauthorised access, a two-factor authentication system has been incorporated, together with features to detect suspicious access and usage. In addition, all access to the NEHR is captured in audit logs and patients will be able to view a record of accesses made to their NEHR records so that they can report unauthorised access. When suspicious access is detected or reported, we will carry out investigations and those found to have misused the system will be dealt with under the law, in accordance with the penalties under the Cybersecurity and Computer Misuse Act and the proposed Healthcare Services Act. Mr Speaker, to protect against cyberattacks, the NEHR system has a multi-layered cybersecurity defence. Security penetration tests and independent cybersecurity audits are conducted regularly. While measures have been put in place, we need to continue to remain vigilant.”
“This requires a collective effort from all of us. It is something that is important as we face an ageing population.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, I thank Dr Chia for his supplementary questions. I explained in my main answer that healthcare inflation measures the growth of prices paid for a wide range of healthcare-related goods and services, and this is after we have considered Government subsidies. Dr Chia is right that it is important to not only focus on healthcare inflation but to look at the total healthcare spending. So, this is why when we look at it, how do we work on transforming the healthcare system to prevent healthcare costs from rising too quickly? We are not only focusing on healthcare inflation alone but we are taking a more complete view of how we look at ways to help individuals stay healthy and how we look for ways to help our providers and our institutions deliver their services in a more productive and more efficient manner. There are also many other cost items that add up to the healthcare bill, for example, the cost of drugs and consumables. So, these are all different ways in which, I think, we will have to pay attention to. Yesterday, in this House, we spoke about fee benchmarks. Both Dr Lim Wee Kiak and Assoc Prof Goh raised questions about how we can best implement fee benchmarks. These are all the different ways. In my answer, I explained that fee benchmarks and fee guidelines is part of a larger strategy. So, it would also include some of these other measures. One last point I will make, Mr Deputy Speaker, is that, ultimately, whether we are able to effectively and successfully prevent healthcare costs from rising too quickly is not only what the Government can do alone, but what we can do together with our healthcare providers, our healthcare workers, our Labour Movement, our union leaders and also with patients and families.”
“Firstly, we are moving beyond healthcare to health by investing upstream in health promotion, disease prevention and health screening to help Singaporeans stay healthy. Secondly, we are shifting care beyond hospitals to the community to enable more patients to receive effective care closer to home. Thirdly, we are moving beyond quality to value for patients to deliver appropriate care to meet their needs. These include initiatives to improve productivity through innovation and process improvements and working in collaboration with private sector and community providers. The above shifts are important to keep our increases in healthcare spending at a more sustainable level as we consider different options to fund our future healthcare and long-term care needs. Sir, the best approach to managing healthcare cost is for all of us to do our part by keeping ourselves in good health and adopting an active and healthy lifestyle. MOH will continue to invest in this area and work closely together with our industry and community partners.”
“Healthcare inflation measures the growth rate of prices for healthcare related goods and services paid by patients after Government subsidies. Between 2011 and 2016, Singapore's average annual healthcare inflation rate was 2.4% compared to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) average of 1.6%. Recent policy measures, such as the Pioneer Generation Package, MediShield Life subsidies and the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS), have helped to bring it down to about 1.2% between 2013 and 2016. While it is important to monitor healthcare inflation, it is just as important to look at overall healthcare spending. This is because subsidies are funded from Government revenue, which comes from the people through taxes and duties and the Net Investment Returns Contribution (NIRC) from our Reserves. Hence, overall healthcare spending is a more complete indicator than healthcare inflation alone. In Singapore, our national healthcare spending has increased by more than 60% from $11.5 billion in 2011 to $18.8 billion in 2015, as we built more healthcare facilities and hired more healthcare workers to meet our growing healthcare needs. With an ageing population, it is inevitable that our total spending on healthcare will increase further. To keep our overall healthcare costs sustainable in the future, we have to focus on ways to transform our healthcare system and prevent healthcare costs from rising too quickly. This requires the collective effort of all stakeholders to work together in close partnership. Mr Deputy Speaker, the Ministry of Health (MOH) had earlier announced three strategies to transform our healthcare system.”
“Contributions to the fund can be made by the Government but also by companies, charities, community groups and individual donors, to encourage different stakeholders in society to chip in and help these families and help these patients. The Ministry will study the different options carefully and we will come up with a proposal later this year. By harnessing the collective giving from all parts of our community, we can help these families and create opportunities to encourage philanthropy and build a more caring society. [(proc text) Question put, and agreed to. (proc text)] [(proc text) Resolved, "That Parliament do now adjourn." (proc text)] Adjourned accordingly at 7.07 pm.”
“The public hospital which is looking after Christopher is KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH) and they are working with the manufacturer to try and bring down the cost of the drugs for the family. I have also asked my colleagues in MOH and KKH to assist Christopher’s family and find a way to help them to reduce their out-of-pocket expenses. Mr Deputy Speaker, while we have many positive examples of how dedicated healthcare workers and caring individuals in our society are helping patients who are facing difficulties, we recognise that there are still families with children suffering from rare diseases who are struggling and are worried how they can cope with their healthcare expenses. This is not an easy challenge to solve because many of the cases have unique circumstances. The needs are diverse. What is clear is that, as a caring and inclusive society, we must do our best to find practical ways to help our fellow Singaporeans who are in these difficult situations. This requires a collective effort from the public, private and people sectors. MOH will review how we can better support children with rare diseases and their families. We are studying different options, including the use of insurance and discretionary funds, like MediFund and Medication Assistance Fund, to reduce their out-of-pocket expenses. Another possibility is to set up a separate fund which our public healthcare institutions can use on a discretionary basis to help children with rare diseases whose treatment costs remain unaffordable in spite of subsidies, insurance and financial assistance.”
“Emily received subsidies for consultations and investigations, and the hospital helped her apply for funding under the Medication Assistance Fund. These covered a significant proportion of the infusion cost. The hospital also engaged a pharmaceutical company, which kindly agreed to extend financial assistance to further defray the cost of the medication she needs. More recently, after discussing her situation with the hospital, her employer helped her to claim part of her treatment cost from their group insurance policy. So, through the combined efforts by CGH, the pharmaceutical company and her employer, Emily’s monthly healthcare expenses were reduced from more than $50,000 to less than $500. I am heartened to know that Emily is coping well with her treatment. Another example is Chloe, a little girl with the same condition as Emily. Like Emily, she needs to visit the hospital regularly to receive the infusion of enzymes. Her monthly treatment cost is about $40,000. This is another example of how multiple parties have come together to support the family. Government subsidies were provided for her treatment, the family’s insurance policy covered the post-subsidy costs of Chloe’s inpatient treatment, and additional Government and hospital assistance supported the other aspects of her treatment, such as mobility devices and consumables. Together, these helped to reduce Chloe’s healthcare expenses from $40,000 per month to less than $500 a month. Dr Tan also mentioned in his speech a young boy, the name of this boy is Christopher, who was diagnosed with a rare disease called bile acid synthesis disorder. We want to help the family.”
“For needy families who still require financial assistance after Government subsidies and MediShield Life payouts, and using their MediSave and other personal savings, we have MediFund as a further safety net to ensure that no Singaporeans will be denied access to appropriate care due to their financial situation. These social policies and assistance schemes are possible because we have grown our economy over the years, we have generated the required resources and we have managed our system efficiently. Now, as we face an ageing population in Singapore, we must continue to pay careful attention to these important areas. With these policies in place, the vast majority of Singaporeans are able to pay for their medical treatments and drugs. Yet, as Dr Tan has pointed out, even the best policies cannot address all circumstances. There will be rare diseases where treatments and drugs are very expensive, and our insurance schemes, our subsidies will not provide adequate coverage for the patients and their families. When we encounter such cases, our public healthcare institutions will do their best to help. There was a recent example in one of our public hospitals – a patient by the name of Emily who was diagnosed with Pompe disease since she was a teenager. Emily needs to visit Changi General Hospital (CGH) every fortnight to receive an infusion of her missing enzymes, which is a costly drug. Combined with other aspects of her treatment, such as consultations and tests, the monthly cost adds up to more than $50,000. Emily's father is a technician and her mother a homemaker and she has a sister who is still schooling. Financially, it is very challenging for the family. CGH reached out to the family and brought in other parties to help.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, I thank Dr Tan Wu Meng for highlighting the challenges faced by families with children suffering from rare genetic diseases. As a parent, I empathise with the challenges all parents encounter and the daily struggles we have to go through to care for our children. Parents of children with rare diseases will undoubtedly face even greater challenges. I agree with Dr Tan that as a caring and inclusive society, we should pool our resources together and do what we can to support these families. It is the right thing to do. Singaporeans have access to good quality subsidised healthcare at public hospitals, specialist outpatient clinics and polyclinics. Many of our subsidies are means-tested to provide more support for Singaporeans with lower incomes. And this is part of our progressive social policy and safety net. On top of Government subsidies, we have MediShield Life, which provides universal protection for all Singaporeans against large hospital bills and costly outpatient treatments through risk-pooling. The Government provides means-tested subsidies to help Singaporeans pay for their MediShield Life premiums. We also offer financial assistance for low-income Singaporeans through Additional Premium Support to ensure that no Singaporean will lose coverage because he is unable to afford his premiums. So, MediShield Life, as Dr Tan pointed out, is not just an insurance scheme, it is a social policy which reflects our values as a community to build a fair and just society.”
“Sir, we have groups like the Consumers' Association of Singapore. We also have groups that can represent different stakeholders. It would not be possible to represent every single individual, as I am sure Assoc Prof Goh would agree with me. But to have the input and perspective from patient groups, from consumers, certainly, that would be something that could be taken as part of the process.”
“I thank Assoc Prof Goh for his supplementary questions. I think it is important for us, when we do the fee benchmarks, to have representation from all stakeholders – the professionals, the professional bodies and, of course, from patients, consumers. We want to be able to reflect different perspectives as we set the benchmarks. These benchmarks are meant as guidelines, as references. When insurers refer to these benchmarks, it is not something that prevents them from treating each claim on a case-by-case basis. Depending on the merits of the case and, certainly, if it is within the appropriate guidelines, insurers, I am sure, would continue to be able to fulfil their obligations to their policyholders, in accordance with the terms of their insurance products. Going back to the earlier point that Dr Lim Wee Kiak raised with regard to the concern that some doctors may, as a result of this, raise their fees. I certainly hope that would not be the case because I believe that the large majority of our doctors have their patients' well-being and concern at the foremost, and that is what they want to focus on. But, of course, the benchmarks would help us to identify the small number of doctors who overcharge. This is information for us to be able to use, for patients to use, for insurers to use and for the authorities, including the Singapore Medical Council, for them to be able to take action and prevent the small number from raising healthcare costs for everyone else.”
“I meant to ask for Mr Deputy Speaker's permission to answer both Question Nos 12 and 13 together. I apologise for that. Assoc Prof Daniel Goh Pei Siong: I have three supplementary questions. First, what other sources of information or expertise would the Ministry be using to ensure the independence of the benchmarks other than that of the Advisory Committee? Second, how would the Committee be involving the patients because they are not organised into associations or any other kind of bodies? Third, what would the Ministry do to prevent insurers from using the benchmarks to reduce the payouts or to reject legitimate claims?”
“Sir, I thank the Member for his supplementary questions. Indeed, the concern about healthcare fees is not only about doctors' fees. It is about the overall healthcare cost. So, this will include doctors' fees, but it would also include facility fees and other components of the overall healthcare cost that patients, insurers, taxpayers and Government, on the whole, will have to pay. We focused on doctors' fees for a start because these were also the recommendations of the Health Insurance Task Force. It made a report and recommended that fee benchmarks focused on professional fees in the first instance. For other fees, such as hospital charges, Dr Lim Wee Kiak is aware that we currently publish the facility fees for common procedures. If there are ways that we can present the information better to allow members of public and patients to have more information to make comparisons, we would be happy to receive feedback on how we can do better. We will also continue to monitor if benchmarks for other healthcare-related services will be required in the future. Sir, the fee benchmarks, by themselves, will not be a silver bullet to address healthcare costs. I mentioned in my reply that we also need collective effort from all stakeholders as providers and institutions need to focus on improving productivity, improving appropriate care. Recently, we set up the Agency of Care Effectiveness (ACE) and they issued some guidance on appropriate care guides, drug guidances. These are ways to help medical professionals, patients and caregivers to identify what are the cost-effective treatment options. So, ACE will also be looking into medical technology guidance this year to guide the selection of clinical and cost-effective medical devices.”
“We believe this will encourage appropriate charging practices and provide useful information for patients and payors to make better informed decisions on their care options. The fee benchmarks will be set by the Ministry with advice from an independent committee that comprises stakeholders representing the medical community, providers, patients and payors from both the private and public sector. The benchmarks will be reviewed and updated regularly, with references made to historical transacted data. The fee benchmarks are not intended to restrict competition as doctors are not prohibited from charging lower or higher fees if they wish to. The fee benchmarks serve as references for the public, including insurers and professional bodies, to assess whether the fees charged by a healthcare professional are reasonable. The Ministry will, however, continue to monitor the charging practices in the healthcare sector.”