The Pioneer card, Merdeka card, CHAS card, were introduced by the govt to help Singaporeans fight the rising cost of living for the seniors that are now mostly retired and the lower income citizens. They provide subsidies for medical and dental care, subsidies for public transport and top ups for Medisave and also discounts in Fairprice supermarkets, among others.
The initial launch of the Pioneer card was very well received with generous subsidies in medical and dental care. Seniors using the card for simple dental treatment were pleasantly surprised that the subsidies were good enough for the full treatment without having to pay a single cent with cash. But as they said, good things don't last long. Within a few years, simple dental treatment that used to cost nothing, meaning no need to pay with additional cash, now could cost a few hundred bucks.
The subsidies did not change in percentage terms, I think. If this is not the reason for having to pay with so much cash, then it must be the total cost of the dental treatment. From having to pay nothing to having to pay more than $200 after deducting subsidies, it would mean that the treatment would have ballooned to more than $200 for a simple dental treatment. A $200 out of pocket payment is now beyond the reach of many seniors and low income citizens. Has someone been taking advantage of the subsidies or abusing it by jacking up the cost of dental treatment because of the Pioneer card, turning it into a gimmick?
The govt may want to step in to determine how much should be reasonable for out of pocket payment with subsidies to make dental treatment really affordable. This was the reason by these cards came into being. For retirees with no income, a $20 or $30 out of pocket payment is already quite a lot to pay, let alone more than $200 and after a hefty subsidy! Some parties are gaming the system and profiteering from it, destroying the meaning of these cards. Something has gone very wrong, but no one bothers.
The CHAS card is also usable in NTUC run Kopitiam for special meals at $3. The Kopitiam is the go to place for many average citizens, the backbone of the average citizens' lifestyle. If the average the citizens cannot even afford to eat in the Kopitiam, then this is going to become a crisis in time to come. The least the govt should do is to ensure that the citizens are decently fed at a decent price. Filling the stomach is about the most basic of human needs. When the Kopitiams and hawker centres are becoming unaffordable to the average Singaporeans, the pain will grow.
Other than a little subsidies from CHAS card, the govt may want to consider capping the rentals of Kopitiams and hawker centres to control the prices of the 3 meals of the average citizens. Rent control may be necessary as this is a major item that is pushing up the prices of basic meals. Not everything should be subject to market forces, letting the operators and landlords push up the prices determined by free market mechanism.
Lately, with so many things happening around the world, the cost of living is getting out of hand. Govt handouts and CDC vouchers may not be enough, temporary and uncertain. It is time for the govt to take affirmative actions to systematically control the rising cost of basic needs like food, transportation and medical care. Leaving everything to free market forces can be very cruel to the average Singaporeans. Singapore must not blindly follow the American and western models of govt that are failing and hurting their citizens. A model with Singapore characteristics to meet the needs of our citizens can be developed to make living and the challenges of rising cost of living more bearable is warranted. No one will be left behind should not be an empty promise in a world that is getting more harsh and inhuman and financially demanding.
What you mention about dental treatment is true. Dentists are having a field day with dental treatment costing an arm and a leg. Profiteers know how to game the system, and the system is truly being abused. Not only that, but dentists have been caught attempting to submit claims under the CHAS system for 'ghost treatments' unknown to the elderlies. Like in the USA, cost of medical treatments has risen to the moon for the poor, with insurance coverage that can be exploited. Greed knows no bounds. What is the point of taking the 'Hippocratic Oath' without honoring its principle?
ReplyDeleteEver wonder why clinics and dentists are sprouting all over the heartlands, sometimes seven to ten clinics around a small enclave of shops?
I want to highlight another incident I encountered buying food from a coffeeshop stall, supposed to be giving special discounted meals of two vegetables and one meat for S$2.80 to the elderlies, upon showing the blue CHAS card as highlighted.
ReplyDeleteThis is perhaps quite perplexing, but it seems the food portion dished out is smaller under such offers and different from normal priced meals. I was under the impression that you can order your food 'before' showing your CHAS card and only showing your CHAS card while paying for the food you ordered. But it seems not to work this way, as the vendor said that the CHAS discount could not be given as he has given me a bigger portion of the food that was not under the CHAS discount.
I now know this is another scam.
Now, it seems rather difficult to choose two vegetables and one meat dishes, as vendors are so smart that they cooked vegetables with a little dash of 'minced meat' and consider that as a meat choice.
DeleteSo, the ruling that coffeeshops must have one stall selling discounted food is all hubris.
ReplyDeleteThey would go to parliament to make the poor folks pay 5c for a plastic bag that used to be free. But they would not be bothered on such things to make sure the poor folks really benefit from such cards.
ReplyDeleteAfter subsidy still paying $200 plus for a simple filling, it means the cost of a simple filling is more than $300. Can you imagine that?
ReplyDeleteI do not have to imagine. It is absolutely true.
DeleteEven doctors are like that. If you query why so expensive, they will tell you we are not a charity.
DeleteHello All
ReplyDeleteCome on!
The Ruling Elites having GCBs man by the millions!
How can we also the TOP of the Creme DeLa Creme must also tried to have GCBs what's!
One day also must score at least five to six thousands what's!
Not all if us been called to the PAP Tea party you know where "pak tuoa" aka minimum allowance at least near 20K pee month.
So now every patient don't slaughtered when to slaughtered ah?
Special instructions the administration clerk must made it a Point to call the next day patient whether they coming or not!
If not have to slot in someone to fill the gap as hello one patient at least a few hundred dollars you know!
Whether paid cash by billed to the Subsidies!
When I read the terms that you must tell the hawker in advance that you are using CHAS card before ordering, I already smelt a rat. I have not used this so called subsidy, rather pay as normal and get the normal portion.
ReplyDelete