SENATE BILL: Reforming Atlasian Public Health Act of 2014 (Debating)

[Simfan34]

I very strongly support the formation of Singapore-style Medisave accounts. I very strongly support Singapore-style anything, but their healthcare model in particular is a model to be followed. Central Provident Fund and all. Indeed, I'd support repealing healthcare taxes and having it be completely paid out of Medisave funds, with means-tested subsidisation when necessary funded through transfers and direct subsidies from the general fund to the ANHC.

What’s the reason for Singapore’s success? It’s not government spending. The state, using taxes, funds only about one-fourth of Singapore’s total health costs. Individuals and their employers pay for the rest. In fact, the latest figures show that Singapore’s government spends only $381  per capita on health—or one-seventh what our government spends. 

Singapore’s system requires individuals to take responsibility for their own health, and for much of their own spending on medical care. As the Health Ministry puts it, “Patients are expected to co-pay part of their medical expenses and to pay more when they demand a higher level of service. At the same time, government subsidies help to keep basic healthcare affordable.” 

The reason the system works so well is that it puts decisions in the hands of patients and doctors rather than of government bureaucrats and insurers. The state’s role is to provide a safety net for the few people unable to save enough to pay their way, to subsidize public hospitals, and to fund preventative health campaigns. 

[Simfan34]

Here is some good reading on the Singapore system:

http://www.american.com/archive/2008/may-june-magazine-contents/the-singapore-model

[Simfan34]

Yes, but the point is to promote personal responsibility.

[Simfan34]

The idea is that if you are pputting in money into an account with your name on it that you can check and feel is really yours, one will choose to avoid wasteful spending as opposed to being the beneficiary of "free money" from the government that isn't really free.

[Simfan34]

I very strongly support Singapore-style anything, but their healthcare model in particular is a model to be followed.

I don't know if you're being a bit hyperbolic, but Singapore is incredibly authoritarian about some things. Are you sure you want that?

Will given Simfan's distaste for democracy, it wouldn't really be surprising.

The Senator from the Midwest is not wide of the mark.

I would like to hear more about Medisave. Perhaps, if the Senator would like, we could compromise and also establish a Housing & Development Board, which I trust would be to his liking. More Singaporeaness for everyone.

[Simfan34]

I very strongly support the formation of Singapore-style Medisave accounts. I very strongly support Singapore-style anything, but their healthcare model in particular is a model to be followed. Central Provident Fund and all. Indeed, I'd support repealing healthcare taxes and having it be completely paid out of Medisave funds, with means-tested subsidisation when necessary funded through transfers and direct subsidies from the general fund to the ANHC.

Can you explain this I am confused. If you repeal the healthcare taxes, how do you pay for the subsidization? If you take it out of the general fund that would require something rather substantial to be cut in the rest of the budget, no?

It would come out of general taxation revenues. The assumed savings would keep the scheme revenue-positive.

[Simfan34]

We would establish Medisave accounts. For people who are unable to contribute enough to cover their regular expenses, the government would make up the difference though grants to their accounts.

[Simfan34]

The system would cut out a lot of waste. As is the case in Singapore. I've pointed out government health care expenditure there is essentially the lowest in the world. If we execute it properly I don't see why should not be able to replicate the successes here.

Provided we don't unionise disease or something like that.

[Simfan34]

Is the Senator's amendment intended as a de facto legal guarantee for internet service?