Thread: Singapore to bill unvaccinated COVID-19 patients as fresh infections surge

Unvaccinated patients in Singapore will have to pay their own medical bills from next month as the island nation tries to come to grips with a worrying COVID-19 caseload.

Key points:

Despite high vaccination levels, Singapore reports 14 deaths and 2,470 new cases in the last 24 hours
From December 8, all COVID-19 patients who choose not to be vaccinated will need to cover their own medical expenses
Those who are partially vaccinated will lose Singapore government coverage for COVID-19 from December 31

In the past 24 hours, Singapore reported 14 deaths from coronavirus and 2,470 new cases.

Singapore's Ministry of Health (MOH) says the government has been paying full coronavirus medical costs of all Singaporeans, permanent residents and long-term pass holders since the pandemic began.

This does not include those residents who test positive after returning from overseas travel.

But from December 8, all COVID-19 patients in Singapore who are eligible for vaccination but choose not to do so will need to cover their own medical expenses.
Catch up on the main COVID-19 news from November 9 with a look back at our blog.

Those patients who have received only one jab will not be charged by doctors and hospitals for coronavirus treatment until December 31 to allow them to complete their vaccination.
A group of people in face masks walking across a street
More than 85 per cent of Singaporeans have received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.(Reuters: Edgar Su)

In explaining its decision, the MOH said unvaccinated people disproportionately contribute to the strain on Singapore's health care system because they represent the majority of patients who need intensive care for COVID-19.

Children who are below 12 and those who are medically unable to receive vaccines will still have their bills covered by Singapore authorities.

"[The government has paid for medical expenses] to avoid financial considerations adding to public uncertainty and concern when COVID-19 was an emergent and unfamiliar disease," the MOH said in a statement.
Singapore's foreign workers COVID-19 confinement
A young South Asian man with a mournful expression wearing a white construction helmet sits in workshop.

As coronavirus infections spike across the island, Singapore's migrant workers are forbidden from mingling with the general population, even though most of them are fully vaccinated.
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"For the majority who are vaccinated, this special approach for COVID-19 bills will continue until the COVID-19 situation is more stable."

Singapore is one of the world's most inoculated countries with more than 85 per cent of the population having received two doses of a coronavirus vaccine, with 18 per cent given booster shots.

Among its elderly population, 94 per cent of people between the ages of 60 to 69, and 90 per cent of those aged 70 and older have been double dosed.

Of the new COVID-19 cases, 2,307 were reported in the community with 156 infections in migrant worker dormitories and seven imported cases.

Meanwhile, Singapore and Malaysia will allow quarantine-free travel between both countries for individuals vaccinated against COVID-19 later this month, according to a joint statement released on Monday.

The neighbours will launch a vaccinated travel lane between Changi Airport and Kuala Lumpur International Airport from November 29, the statement said.

https://www.abc. net.au/news/2021-11-09/singapore-to-bill-unvaccinated-covid-19-patients/100606366

A great idea from the Singapore government

And a great article photo from the ABC

And a great article photo from the ABC

indeed, and if i am not mistaken the right breast of the girl in blue is showing just the faintest hint of a nipple shadow .

Originally Posted by russellsimpson

Solid observation

Maybe this regulation may be going just a bit too far, it's not as though Singapore is poverty stricken, they can afford the small tab for picking up the cost of those very few vaccinated who would be hospitalized. The population sounds like it has been very co-operative in terms of taking the jabs. If the government were doing this do to some great strain on the medical system then I would say, great. But this seems to me to be more the government trying to make a statement about individual freedom. If the communist Chinese were doing this then nbd. But Singapore ? It smells bad.

Singapore is not far from an authoritarian state.

Originally Posted by russellsimpson

The population sounds like it has been very co-operative in terms of taking the jabs

Except for the fools who did not agree to the vaccine.

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

Singapore is not far from an authoritarian state.

Yup.

Sounds like a good idea to me with the circumstances as they are.

Originally Posted by taxexile

and if i am not mistaken

You are. And off topic.

Originally Posted by aging one

Sounds like a good idea to me with the circumstances as they are.

Agreed, they've had plenty of chances to get vaccinated, time to get tough on idiots. More countries should implement this rule.