MEDICAL BENEFITS TO SENIOR CITIZENS (Concessions at age 60 years)

Mr R. Sinnakaruppan asked the Minister for Health whether he will consider extending senior citizen medical benefits to Singaporeans and permanent residents at the age of 60 instead of 65, as in the case of public transport concessions.

The Minister of State for Health (Dr Aline K. Wong) (for the Minister for Health): The Government's philosophy is to ensure that basic medical care is accessible to all citizens. This is achieved by making sure that its medical services remain efficient so that fees can be kept low and affordable, and also through a system of Government subsidies, together with other health financing schemes like Medisave. However, as Government funds are not infinite, we need to focus the highest subsidy on those in the lower-income groups who require help most.

Notwithstanding this philosophy, the Government is providing subsidised primary health care services to all Singaporeans and permanent residents who attend the Government Outpatient Clinics. Senior citizens aged 65 and above are given a further concession of 50% on consultation and prescription charges. The current concession scheme for senior citizens, together with our system of fee remission for the poor and the indigents, is adequate to ensure that all citizens have access to basic medical treatment. There is therefore no plan to lower the eligibility age from 65 to 60 years.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Can the Minister explain how this subsidy is worked out? Does it include also the capital costs of hospitals and other buildings?

Dr Aline Wong: The 50% concession is based on the current charge of $6 per consultation and the charge for medicine of $1 per item up to $4 per week, i.e. senior citizens are given a 50% discount on top of this. The subsidy policy for the polyclinics includes the development and depreciation costs of polyclinics. These buildings, equipment, etc, are all Government-owned and they are fully covered by Government subventions.

Mr Chiam See Tong: I would like the Minister to explain clearly what these subsidies actually represent. Is the Government out-of-pocket in respect of only recurrent cost, in other words, in respect of salaries, medicine, and not that of land, buildings and financing in regard to the structure of medical facilities, including buildings of hospitals?

Dr Aline Wong: As I explained just now, the subsidies include the land, building, equipment, salaries of the medical staff and also the cost of medicine. As far as hospitals are concerned, it also applies.

Mr Chiam See Tong: In regard to subsidy on capital cost, what is the number of years for amortisation?

Dr Aline Wong: Mr Speaker, Sir, I do not have the data on the specific years for amortisation on hospitals or polyclinics. If the Member would like to have the information, could he please submit a question for the next sitting.

Mr Sinnakaruppan: Sir, in my interactions with the senior citizens during my Meet-the-people sessions, I find that many of the senior citizens feel that they are a neglected lot and these senior citizens have contributed significantly to the growth of Singapore. By extending the concession from 65 to 60, it will only apply to a very small group. I would like to ask the Ministry whether it would reconsider this position in the light of the Senior Citizens' Week held presently.

Mr Chiam See Tong rose ---

Mr Speaker: Mr Chiam, could you please allow the question to be answered first.

Dr Aline Wong: In my answer just now, I have stated that Government's subsidy should be reserved to those people who need financial help most. With our present system of subsidised medicine as well as our system of remission, we find that the present policy is adequate to meet the needs of the senior citizens. But we would not be averse to considering the Member's suggestion and we will look into the policy.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Sir, I am not satisfied with the Minister's answer. Since the subsidy is a very big issue, and the Government has been playing up on this issue, I am surprised that the Minister does not know how the subsidy is arrived at. I am asking for the number of years for amortisation.

The Minister for Health (Mr Yeo Cheow Tong): Mr Speaker, Sir, if the Member likes to ask for more detailed information on the subsidy policy, he is free to file another question. The Minister of State has already clearly told him that the subsidies include things like the capital cost incurred in the building of hospitals and manpower costs, ie, the recurrent costs incurred in the operation of hospitals. If he wants to have more specific details, please file a question and we would --

An hon. Member: He can take part in the Cost Review Committee.

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: Yes, correct. He is also free to take part in the Cost Review Committee and ask for further information.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Mr Speaker, Sir, I think it should be within the Minister's knowledge that he should know the number of years a building is written off where subsidy is concerned. He should know that.

Mr Speaker: Mr Chiam, if you insist in asking this question, I suggest you file a question.