It's getting hot in here - The Means-testing Debate

I'm telling you, this topic is hot hot hot! I'm thinking that it may come out as a SBQ for O Levels this year or next, so know it well okay!


Means-testing to be implemented in Singapore in October 2008

So what are your responses to means testing? We in Singapore have limited resources -and with these limited resources, the government is using alot of it to subsidise patients who stay in the Class B and C wards (Government pays 60% of bills in Class B ward and 80% of bill in Class C ward). It really isn't fair for people with higher income (rich people) to stay in Class C wards, using up the government's resources on them when they can well afford Class A wards. Government resources will then be spent on people who don't really need it. If the government continues to spend more and more on healthcare, subsidising people, then it is us, the tax payers who will bear the burden eventually! Afterall, government money comes from us!

Of course, the other side of the issue, people will argue that healthcare is a basic right. It's not about how rich you are - it's about human rights. If healthcare is a basic human right, how much you earn should not be a consideration, everybody should be treated equally, rich or not. Moreover, isn't it an invasion of privacy to have to declare how much you earn per capita* everytime you go to the hospital?

There are many more points to add to argue on both sides of the issue. Do you guys have any? Feel free to comment, leave your name and class and we can spar here. :)