MEDISAVE (Use of sibling's account)

Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon asked the Minister for Health, in view of the current economic recession, whether a worker, who has lost his job and is hospitalised, but who has insufficient funds in his Medisave Account and who cannot withdraw from other permissible Medisave Accounts (for example, that of his spouse) for the same or other reasons, will be allowed to settle his hospital bills from the Medisave Account of his brother or sister, in order to alleviate possible hardship.

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong (for the Minister for Health): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Ministry has been allowing patients in subsidized wards of Government hospitals to settle their hospital bills from the Medisave Account of a brother or sister, on a case by case basis, on hardship and compassionate grounds. The use of Medisave by a brother or sister will be allowed if it has been verified that the patient is a dependant of the Medisave Account holder, has no Medisave Account or insufficient balances in his Medisave Account, and cannot afford to pay the hospital bills.

Mr J.B. Jeyaretnam (Anson): Supplementary question for the Minister of State, Sir. Would he tell this House what compelling reasons are there for not affording free medical treatment to someone who has been thrown out of a job and is in receipt of no income for the period of the recession?

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: Mr Speaker, Sir, the present regulations allow for those indigent or those who are unable to pay for their own hospital bills to apply for remission of fees. However, there may be some cases of persons who though eligible for remission, would rather have the bill paid, even though it is by a sibling.

Mr Jeyaretnam: Will the Minister confirm that all those who are given free treatment are those on the public assistance scheme? My question is directed to those who are out of employment and with no income at the moment and would not be put on the public assistance scheme. What reasons are there for not giving them free medical treatment?

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: The Member for Anson should be aware that even though certain people may be unemployed, they still have their own Medisave account and they can thereby pay through their Medisave account. However, in the case of persons whose own Medisave account has already been expended, they can do one of two things.

Mr Jeyaretnam: Get somebody else to pay.

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: They can either apply for a waiver or remission of fees provided they can show that they are unable to pay, or (2) they can obtain the consent of their siblings to use their Medisave accounts.

Mr Jeyaretnam: Will the Minister just answer my question? What reasons are there for not giving them free medical treatment?

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: Mr Speaker, Sir, the reasons have been given. There are various alternatives, and there is no need for the State to automatically offer free medical services. Those who wish so, can apply and we will then verify their need.