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Singapore to stop paying medical bills for those who choose to be unvaccinated

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If you live in a country and pay taxes, you are entitled to medical care. Period.

0 ( +11 / -11 )

Well, I guess we'll just have to take their word for it, even though most COVID hospitalizations in other places like the U.K. are vaxxed.

-6 ( +7 / -13 )

Exactly.

my vaccine doesn’t protect you, yours does.

0 ( +11 / -11 )

85 percent vaccinated-- This so " called vaccine" is sure working well, eh. Now reported world wide that the countries with the highest vaccinations rate are the ones being over burdened with sick people. UK reports that hospitalizations is 14 percent higher than last year. Reports every day of vaccinated people ending up in hospital.

Yeah, it's strange how they continue to push these vaccines so aggressively when it has become very clear that their effectiveness is very limited. One possible explanation is that if everyone is vaccinated, no long term adverse effect will be associated with the vaccination. If many remain unvaccinated, they might see a pattern.

-2 ( +11 / -13 )

Singapore leading the way! Others should follow this wonderful, common sense example. Think of it like asking an insurance company to pay for your damaged car when you didn't pay the premiums.

I couldn’t agree more, makes perfect sense to me.

-9 ( +3 / -12 )

 it is about scary government overeach.

Welcome to Singapore. A big reason for its astounding success as a place to do business, safety and region's highest living and health standards is largely thanks to its "government overreach."

-1 ( +8 / -9 )

Why people can't have a rational argument instead of just being hysterics and extremists? Saying oh yeah it's the way to go and calling it the day is not sufficient and just shows a lack of judgement if not basic intelligence. I call this decision tyrannic, hugely disproportional and profoundly unfair. That's not surprising coming from a state known to be authoritative, but this is going too far given the implications.

Those people did not have the right for health insurance benefits out of thin air. Singapore’s public healthcare is funded by taxes, which cover about one-fourth of Singapore’s total health costs. Individuals and their employers pay for the rest in the form of mandatory life insurance schemes and deductions from the compulsory savings plan, or the Central Provident Fund (CPF). Medishield and Medisave are the core of Singapore’s health insurance system. Medishield: For big expenses, Singaporeans can access their Medishield Life, a basic health insurance scheme that all permanent residents and citizens can use to pay for large bills, as well as costly outpatient treatments like kidney dialysis. Those seeking to top up their Medishield Life plans can purchase Private Integrated Shield Plans, which are designed and managed by private health insurance companies. Medisave: This is a mandatory savings plan that consumes between 7 and 9.5 percent of a worker’s wages. Singaporeans can use their Medisave accounts to pay for some types of routine care.

So citizens and permanent residents pay routine expenses out of their Medisave account, and if things get bad enough that they hit their deductible, they begin using the Medishield account.

In any case, people work, paid and are paying for having those benefits (in addition to their private plans). The government can't just decide to refuse health care for ANY reason to people who have paid for it. This is not ethical. A virus doesn't justify that, people refusing to get vaccinated does not justify that. The access to their health care to which they are paying has never been defined to be conditioned on anything. They contribute to it, they have the right for it. Changing so suddenly and without any real justification besides irrational fear the way the health system is fundamentally defined just shows how crazy so many countries have become in just two years. But if the Singapore government insists on that, then they should refund people for the cost of their health insurance.

1 ( +9 / -8 )

This is not about Covid, it is about scary government overeach.

No, this is about covid, and as long as it's limited to this, it's not overreach.

-4 ( +10 / -14 )

So can anyone tell us the vaccination rate in Singapore? If the shot worked then there shouldn’t be outbreaks...or the shot doesn’t work and actually exacerbates the problem..I’m confused.

Being confused is a frequent consequence of actively ignoring the explanations by experts in the topic because they don't fit what you want to believe. Since the reasons being exposed are not something you can accept you are left with what you misunderstand as contradicting information.

Vaccines work, they prevent a lot of infections, complications, hospitalizations and deaths, but nothing in medicine works to a 100%, specially if unvaccinated people increase the risk of spreading of the disease.

Variants with a much higher capacity of transmission also increase the number of cases, even in vaccinated people, but once again those that have recieved the vaccine are less likely than unvaccinated counterparts of getting sick, hospitalized or dead.

"No one's forcing you to get vaccinated, hurrrr..."

Eliminating a privilege above what is normal is very different from forcing people. If a car insurance gives a discount to people that have never had a traffic ticket nor caused an accident, are they "forcing" you to drive well?

-6 ( +7 / -13 )

So if you pay you health insurance in Singapore as everyone has to do by law you will still not be treated??

What absolute stupidity and government over reach!

The gleeful anti-choice crowds responses are very telling...sadly

And this in light of the fact most cases now, in countries with high "vaccination" rates like Singapore, are among the vaxxed...

-1 ( +7 / -8 )

"No one's forcing you to get vaccinated, hurrrr..."

1 ( +6 / -5 )

Brilliant idea Singapore! Issue a "Willingly Non-Vaccinated" passport while you're at it.

And anyone who received a vaccine but still comes down with the virus---charge the pharmaceutical companies. Right?

-4 ( +6 / -10 )

So if I get it right, Singapore is just revoking a special measure related to covid-19 and now it is back to being deal with as any other illness. They are not depriving anybody of their normal healthcare system.

I do not know exactly how Singapore system work, so I will use Japan.

If you get the flu, national health system will cover up to 30% of your medical cost.

They enacted special law making it so 100% of the cost are supposedly covered.

If Japan were to go Singapore way, it will mean, they will remove the special law and people will be back paying 30%.

As a token of gratitude, people which are vaccinated will still see the remaining 30% covered. And in order to not penalize people which could have show the same concern in protecting medical system and society (or other reason but same result) but can not because they are not eligible to vaccination, they will also kept the coverage.

Well at to be expected that at some point government will stop their special coverage and people insisting about living with the virus and acting as it is any other illness should be happy.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

If you are in the wrong pay 100% of your medical bills. If you don't have the cash die on the street.

crazy thing is thats what millions of Americans that cant afford health insurance have to go through everyday

7 ( +10 / -3 )

Can't work, can't travel. can't get health insurance, can't go into certain businesses - your lives ruined all because you're too afraid of a 2 minute procedure. That all fine, but stop whinging about it - you made your beds, now just lie in it quietly while the rest if the world gets back to living.

-1 ( +9 / -10 )

Medical apartheid. In a country where it is clear that the measures that have been applied over the last 18 months are not effective at limiting infection. Sad.

Laughable. Singapore has been hugely successful with their measures throughout the pandemic - especially so being the 3rd most densely populated nation on earth.

Just 88 deaths per million. 523 total deaths.

Extraordinary achievement.

Good on Singapore for taking these measures.

0 ( +9 / -9 )

Medical apartheid. In a country where it is clear that the measures that have been applied over the last 18 months are not effective at limiting infection. Sad.

-3 ( +9 / -12 )

This batty idea this authoritative government has dreamed up is the reason wouldn't even be stomached in the US.

Actually, as I understand things, this is just how the US health system works. No insurance, no treatment. I would have thought you would have been applauding this.

10 ( +14 / -4 )

The Singapore government is removing from some of its citizens their right to medicare because their decision (to not get vaccinated) is deemed wrong by the government. This is a terrible precedent.

I am fully vaccinated myself and think everyone who can should be.

This is not about Covid, it is about scary government overeach.

-6 ( +7 / -13 )

100% support this

1 ( +11 / -10 )

Unless there's a valid and certified medical reason why people can't take the vaccine, this is a fantastic rule and should be applied globally.

6 ( +14 / -8 )

Brilliant policy. Good for Singapore. More nations should follow suit.

All the anti vaxxers can whine, protest and moan all they want, but they'd better be prepared to stump up the big $$$ when they are hospitalized through their reckless behaviour. Why should the taxpayer foot the huge bill of these morons?

Singapore is truly a fantastic nation. Love it.

9 ( +17 / -8 )

Wise decision from Singapore. This is what happens when you get fed up of stupid, selfish people who won't listen and continue to jeopardize the health system and people's lives.

Burning Bush:

This is the first nail in the coffin of socialized medicine.

As opposed to no healthcare at all for the less wealthy? Glad I don't have to rely on American healthcare. Had treatment lately? Don't worry, just sell your home (if you have one).

6 ( +16 / -10 )

Will Singapore still pay the bills for those who come down with adverse health conditions brought on by their willingly smoking, or drinking alcohol?

They should. I imagine they will differentiate between Covid and those things.

-2 ( +7 / -9 )

even Canadians with cheaper drugs yearn to hop over the border for superior private healthcare.

I lived in Canada, and I never heard this sentiment expressed once. I heard the opposite expressed regularly. Where are you getting this information you claim above? Have you ever actually talked to a Canadian?

8 ( +16 / -8 )

This makes me grateful the US healthcare system is private. When the government controls your health and income they control you.

This is backwards. When you are dependent upon your job for healthcare, it makes job mobility extremely difficult. You are controlled by your company. When the government controls health care, people don't have to worry about losing their healthcare when they change jobs. To some degree, employees in the USA are indentured servants, as many literally don't have the money to afford health care if they change jobs.

9 ( +16 / -7 )

Back on topic please.

Will Singapore still pay the bills for those who come down with adverse health conditions brought on by their willingly smoking, or drinking alcohol?

This batty idea this authoritative government has dreamed up is the reason wouldn't even be stomached in the US.

-13 ( +6 / -19 )

Here it is antivaxxers this is your future.!

9 ( +20 / -11 )

Crazy .If the vaccines work why still forcing people to wear masks? They lied to us from day 1

-14 ( +13 / -27 )

17.  Hence, from 8 December 2021, we will begin charging COVID-19 patients who are unvaccinated by choice.[1] This will apply to all unvaccinated COVID-19 patients admitted on or after 8 December 2021 to hospitals and CTFs. COVID-19 medical bills for those who are ineligible for vaccination will still be fully paid for by the government, i.e. children under 12 years old or medically ineligible persons.

18.  COVID-19 patients who are unvaccinated by choice may still tap on regular healthcare financing arrangements to pay for their bills where applicable – SCs and PRs may access regular Government subsidies and MediShield Life/ Integrated Shield Plan (MSHL/ IP) where applicable, while LTPHs may tap on their usual financing arrangements, such as private insurance.

https://www.moh.gov.sg/news-highlights/details/calibrated-adjustments-in-stabilisation-phase_8Nov2021

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Do they not cover car injuries for the driver at fault? 

There’s this wonderful financial product called “auto insurance.” You must have it because, you know, accidents.

Do they not cover pneumonia for seniors who didn't get a flu shot?

I see the logic but counter productive and COVID has a mortality rate 10-25 times higher and costs several magnitudes of order more to treat.

How about AIDS patients who didn't use a condom? 

There is no safe and effective vaccine for AIDS and it is not always possible to know one’s partner’s status.

Drug overdoses? 

Attempted suicides? etc. etc. 

Substance addiction and mental health issues are treatable but usually unpredictable and thus unpreventable. So, not the same thing

If you are in the wrong pay 100% of your medical bills. If you don't have the cash die on the street.

This actually used to be GOP orthodoxy

8 ( +16 / -8 )

OK, so the unvaccinated who catch Covid (which will be most of them) won't go to hospital to get treated, they'll just hang out infecting everyone around them.

Which genius thought this up?

-14 ( +9 / -23 )

Not surprising from a police state.

Not much intelligence behind their decision.

-17 ( +15 / -32 )

I disagree with this myself. But I also understand where they are coming from, and it will be nice for the citizens of Singapore to have to pay for the stupidity of their anti-vaxxers.

I struggle with it precisely because of the stupidity you mentioned. Anti-vaxxers tend to be the less intelligent and less temperamentally balanced in our societies.

You can’t help the cards you were dealt at birth.

7 ( +19 / -12 )

Singapore to stop paying medical bills for those who choose to be unvaccinated

excellent.

Those who want the 'freedom' of remaining unvaccinated are now free to pay for their medical services. As they should, the unvaccinated have contributed to increasing costs for medical care for others (and they care little if anything at all about others) and increasing economic slowdowns and have put those around them at greater risk of coming down with Covid. The unvaccinated are a drain on the resources of societies. And they have shown they do not care about their country nor their society.

Exactly.

10 ( +22 / -12 )

I disagree with this myself. But I also understand where they are coming from, and it will be nice for the citizens of Singapore to have to pay for the stupidity of their anti-vaxxers.

-12 ( +7 / -19 )

Inhuman.

Do they not cover car injuries for the driver at fault?

Do they not cover pneumonia for seniors who didn't get a flu shot?

How about AIDS patients who didn't use a condom?

Drug overdoses?

Attempted suicides? etc. etc.

If you are in the wrong pay 100% of your medical bills. If you don't have the cash die on the street.

-11 ( +17 / -28 )

Wonderful, that’s the best way to teach these idiots a lesson. Don’t want the vaccine pay your own bills!!!

8 ( +25 / -17 )

Singapore has one of the world's highest vaccination rates, with 85 percent of its 5.5 million population fully inoculated.

85 percent vaccinated-- This so " called vaccine" is sure working well, eh. Now reported world wide that the countries with the highest vaccinations rate are the ones being over burdened with sick people. UK reports that hospitalizations is 14 percent higher than last year. Reports every day of vaccinated people ending up in hospital.

-16 ( +16 / -32 )

Every insurance company should update their terms of coverage to say that the company will not pay COVID-related medical expenses for those who chose to remain unvaccinated without a medical exemption provided by an approved physician (eg not some strip mall chiropractor).

8 ( +23 / -15 )

There are some exasperated medical professionals who would go further and refuse treatment to those unvaccinated by choice.

I suppose at a time when medical services are being put under strain, that is a discussion worth having. It’s not a good time to be carrying passengers.

13 ( +24 / -11 )

authorities will begin charging COVID-19 patients who are unvaccinated by choice

Those who want the 'freedom' of remaining unvaccinated are now free to pay for their medical services. As they should, the unvaccinated have contributed to increasing costs for medical care for others (and they care little if anything at all about others) and increasing economic slowdowns and have put those around them at greater risk of coming down with Covid. The unvaccinated are a drain on the resources of societies. And they have shown they do not care about their country nor their society.

9 ( +25 / -16 )

Great policy. Singapore's history is about an extremely vulnerable and isolated island quickly becoming the world's most competitive economy, largely on the strength of its smart govt policies. This is such a case.

6 ( +28 / -22 )

Singapore leading the way! Others should follow this wonderful, common sense example. Think of it like asking an insurance company to pay for your damaged car when you didn't pay the premiums.

13 ( +38 / -25 )

What an excellent idea. If you decide not to bear the responsibility of living in a society, then you shouldn't be allowed to benefit from that society.

19 ( +46 / -27 )

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