Msian FTrash Cow: $214 H1N1 Test Fee Already HEAVILY SUBSIDIZED! Shut Up & Sit Down!

[makapaaa]

<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR>July 1, 2009
H1N1 TESTING
</TR><!-- headline one : start --><TR>It's free but not all fees
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->MS DAPHNE K. Teo and Mrs Mee Mee Degani asked about the rationale for the charges for Influenza A (H1N1) testing in 'Why should being responsible cost $214?' and 'Make it clear' last Saturday.
We would like to clarify that the cost of H1N1 tests is waived for all patients. For those who are screened at the emergency department (ED) in restructured hospitals, only the usual ED facility fee is charged. In the case of Ms Teo, she was admitted to Tan Tock Seng Hospital while waiting for test results. Hence, the daily ward charges were incurred.
Nevertheless, we would like to assure all that those who need to be hospitalised are heavily subsidised at up to 80 per cent of their medical costs.
Patients who have difficulties paying the bills despite heavy subsidies can approach the hospital's medical social workers for financial assistance. Needy patients can tap into MediFund and/or the hospital's specific financial assistance schemes.
We thank Singaporeans for cooperating with the Government in being socially responsible and in taking steps to check on their health status when unwell.
Karen Tan (Ms)
Director, Corporate Communications
Ministry of Health

 

[makapaaa]

Re: Msian FTrash Cow: $214 H1N1 Test Fee Already HEAVILY SUBSIDIZED! Shut Up & Sit Do

<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD class=heading>Latest comments</TD></TR><TR><TD id=messageDisplayRegion width="100%"><TABLE style="WIDTH: 100%" cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left><TABLE style="WIDTH: 100%" cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left><TABLE style="WIDTH: 100%" class=Post cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left>The authority only pay lips service only. Requesting the nation to fight against H1N1 together but you have to bear the cost yourself.
</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left>Posted by: skinners at Mon Jun 29 17:57:48 SGT 2009
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left><TABLE style="WIDTH: 100%" cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left><TABLE style="WIDTH: 100%" class=AlternatePost cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left>The writer has a point. It's not about her, or whether she can afford to pay for it or whether she's responsible for her own action for having travelled abroad. The cruz of the matter is the high fee one has to pay for the N1H1 test. For the sake of public health security, any body regardles of race, age or wealth status or even nationality, should be tested if they suspect themselves to have N1H1. And it should be borne or at least heavily subsidised by the govt. So what if it's taxpayers money.. Isnt it what it should used for? If taxpayers' money are used to pay for public housing, public schools, public hospital, than what is the cost of the test for the safety of the public?

Instead of "fighting her", we should "fight with her" to seek the gahman to offer N1H1 test free cos who knows, you may be the next one going for the test. Or worse, we all have the flu cos some guy didnt get test ed and pass it to us cos he cant afford the test fee. Your choice.
</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left>Posted by: JoJo2008 at Mon Jun 29 13:13:35 SGT 2009
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left><TABLE style="WIDTH: 100%" cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left><TABLE style="WIDTH: 100%" class=Post cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left>There are three kind of medicine in Singapore hospitals" the slow medicine, the fast medicine, and the very slow medicine. All depends on who you are and your financial standing and your stats in society, which type the doctors will give to you while you are under their charge. Again, not free medincine, no free drug, all are paid for from our taxes and GST. Grant is just another word to pacify the patients who are still naive about how the real money is from their own pockets.
</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left>Posted by: singaporean05 at Mon Jun 29 12:59:24 SGT 2009
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left><TABLE style="WIDTH: 100%" cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left><TABLE style="WIDTH: 100%" class=AlternatePost cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left>Also, why are all suspected H1N1 cases made to pay the laboratory fee of $60?-Daphne K. Teo (Ms)

Hi Ms Daphne K.Teo, you sound naive and think that our government is running this nation corruption-moneies or what? This is how real capitalism , although we call our nation a Republic, should be.No free lunch or free medicine even though how serious and how sincere you may be at heart. Just pay what is due, if you feel that "slap" is too painful, then apply for the welfare which is in place to screen and waive real cases.

Why complain when you are slapped with this payment, for it is our own doing to want the governement to import these tests and drugs in our medical inventories. So just do our part as law abiding citizen and just follow the policy in place.
</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left>Posted by: singaporean05 at Mon Jun 29 12:55:35 SGT 2009
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left><TABLE style="WIDTH: 100%" cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left><TABLE style="WIDTH: 100%" class=Post cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left>remember how many people earn $1200 or less every month. how is anyone who is earning $1200 monthly able to afford $214 at one shot?
</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left>Posted by: lazylizard at Mon Jun 29 12:49:20 SGT 2009
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[halsey02]

Re: Msian FTrash Cow: $214 H1N1 Test Fee Already HEAVILY SUBSIDIZED! Shut Up & Sit Do

>There are three kind of medicine in Singapore hospitals" the slow medicine, the fast medicine, and the very slow medicine. All depends on who you are and your financial standing and your stats in society, which type the doctors will give to you while you are under their charge. Again, not free medincine, no free drug, all are paid for from our taxes and GST. Grant is just another word to pacify the patients who are still naive about how the real money is from their own pockets.>

That is why many die from dieases of the kidney to the heart, those who can not pay, usually opt to take those medicines in which their pocket allow them, thus, they are getting subsidized treatment ( SUBSIDIZED) & buying the expensive ones later..they will be sustained, but the illness will never be properly treated & eventually die. These are the 'lesser mortals'..while those who can afford...can get transplant, state of the art medicines & treatments etc...which will prolong their life span..a little or even more years...

If know any elderly retired senior citizens...you will know what I am saying!

>remember how many people earn $1200 or less every month. how is anyone who is earning $1200 monthly able to afford $214 at one shot?>

Read...HIGHLY SUBSIDIZED...see" Patients who have difficulties paying the bills despite heavy subsidies can approach the hospital's medical social workers for financial assistance. Needy patients can tap into MediFund and/or the hospital's specific financial assistance schemes"

Making us feel like a pariah dog..or "Oliver" (in Oliver Tiwist", asking for another bowl of 'porridge'...isn't this the duty of any government to look after the people that voted for them, and that is the responsibilty of that government to offer service..the money comes from taxpayers, who on top of paying GST for their daily consumptions have to pay GST on medical services...what SUBSIDY?..unless the money in providing for medical services comes from the monthly donations of the members of parliament & the people in the governement!

Before they tap into the medical fund..one have to fill in forms, get investigated...and still have to pay money first...

The lesson in this, you have the money...you live longer! or better, you can afford to pay for this testing or that testing..get fresh Tamiflu or any vaccines stocks direct from the Pharmceauticals giants, whereas we will get extended expiry date ones...that is the reality.

Unfortunately, you lesser mortals & children of the lesser gods...have to suffer!