INSURANCE AGAINST CHRONIC ILLNESSES (Progress of Scheme)

Mr S. Vasoo asked the Minister for Health whether he will give an update on the progress in implementing the insurance scheme covering selected chronic illnesses.

Dr Richard Hu Tsu Tau: Mr Speaker, Sir, the Ministry has held a number of discussions on the catastrophic illness insurance scheme with the Council of Health Insurers, which is an organization representing the major health insurers in Singapore. There are still a number of fundamental issues to be resolved. This has taken longer than anticipated, as this is the first time that an insurance scheme covering the bulk of the population and involving a number of insurance companies is being drawn up in Singapore. The Ministry hopes to finalize by the end of this year the broad details of the scheme with the Council of Health Insurers, after which it will present a proposal to the Government for its consideration.