by Simon Lim
I was recently hospitalised in a public hospital for a few days and while I was hospitalised, I have observed for myself at first hand how those nurses went about their work 24/7, their nationalities and also thought deeper about issues relating to medical costs, medical insurance, medical subsidies and more.
Regarding medical cost and medical insurance, one thought quickly came to my mind. I am sure that many people still remember when Khaw Boon Wan boasted about his $8/ heart by-pass surgery. I believe that many people didn’t like it when Khaw Boon Wan bragged about his $8/ out of pocket heart by-pass surgery, however, I am one of those people who believed what he said and for all those others who also believed what he said must all come to one conclusion, ie, he either had very substantial Medisave balance or very, very comprehensive medical insurance or both that took care of his very hefty heart by-pass medical bills. If Khaw had bought and paid for his medical insurance premiums out of his own pockets over the years, I congratulate him and I will also wish him well and speedy recovery.
However, I have a question.
If PAP cabinet ministers do in fact enjoy comprehensive medical insurance coverage as part of their perks and privileges, then, that must stop! I take strong issue with that. Why? Let me explain. These days, even school teachers who drive to school are made to pay for parking all in the name of Clean Wages. Our ministers are paid a very respectable political salary that even ministers from the OECD countries could only admire and salivate. All monies that they take and/or spend come from the people, our citizens.
Singaporeans need to have enough common sense in them, spine and discipline never to tolerate any ministers from any political parties to ever privatise the benefits for themselves but socialise the cost under whatever clever pretext, especially under our public sector’s Clean Wage Policy.
I repeat. Never, never allow or tolerate any political office holders to ever privatise the benefits for themselves but socialise the costs among our citizens under whatever clever or cunning pretexts. Period. Think!
This was first published on Simon Lim’s Facebook page and reproduced with permission.
