Paul Tambyah: Everyone pays the same in SDP universal healthcare plan regardless of social economic status

Singapore Democratic Party’s chairman Professor Paul Tambyah previously posted on TikTok his party’s proposal for a universal healthcare plan should he become the health minister. He was then asked whether those earning a higher income would pay the same price compared to those from a lower socio-economic background.

“Yes, everyone pays the same amount regardless of their social economic status, and they get the same level of service in public hospitals. The public hospitals can get rid of their A-class, wards and hotel services,” said Prof. Tambyah in a TikTok video reply.

“They can concentrate on their primary mission, which is providing quality health care to the people of Singapore and stop competing with the private sector.”

@paultambyah

Replying to @laksjdg123456 yes, everyone pays the same! #tiktoksg #DidYouKnow #fyp #sgpolitics #xyzbca #teamSDP #singapore #politics #fypシ #sgtiktok #foryou #makeitviral #viral #healthcare #singaporetok #viralvideo

♬ original sound – Paul Tambyah – Paul Tambyah

But Prof Tambyah shared that those in the higher income bracket group will still be able to enjoy better service if they want to, but it will not be paid for under the universal healthcare plan.

“For those with higher SES, who want additional perks for their inpatient stay, or hotel services, they are free to do that using their employer’s health care plans or their private insurance which can also help speed up outpatient follow-up appointments. The whole point of the plan is that everybody should get the kind of healthcare that they need,” explained the SDP chairman.

In the previous video, Prof Tambyah suggested that he would introduce a less complex system which would better serve the population.

“Definitely the first thing I would do is to get rid of the complicated healthcare financing system. We have Medisave, Medishield Life, Medifund, Careshield Life, Eldershield, the Pioneer Generation Package, Merdeka Generation, Chas Orange, Chas Blue,” added Prof Tambyah.

“This would be replaced with a single-payer universal health insurance card, and what this means is that individuals would pay a fixed amount. For those who cannot afford, the government would pay the balance, and this would cover a basic evidence-based healthcare package for everyone.”

This was first proposed by the party a decade ago when they introduced the SDP’s Healthcare Plan, which includes removing the 3M system of Medisave, Medifund and Medishield and returning the Medisave money to one’s CPF Ordinary Account.

Affordable universal healthcare plan if SDP’s Paul Tambyah becomes Singapore health minister