THE Government has kept its promise to take care of the elderly, with the Pioneer Generation Package.
More Singaporeans would probably like to enjoy such benefits, and we may have the means if we plan early ("Pioneers package Part 2? 'It'll depend on next generation' "; last Tuesday).
Perhaps it is time to initiate a portable outpatient medical scheme for younger Singaporeans.
Currently, many employers provide outpatient medical benefits for employees.
Under a portable outpatient medical benefit scheme, younger working adults who keep themselves healthy can carry over the surplus money to use when they get older.
There are many advantages of such a scheme.
First, the young can be encouraged to keep themselves healthy with the aim of saving more money to use later.
Second, as the money in the scheme belongs to the individual, he will be more discerning when spending it.
More importantly, the scheme encourages self-reliance and promotes individual responsibility.
Rather than depend on the future generation, we should start to take charge of our own health care and take action to deal with our health-care costs.
With this scheme, Singaporeans who are actively employed can contribute to subsidies for their future medical bills.
This scheme can act as another safety net and be administered like the current Pioneer Generation Package.
There can never be too many safety nets and the Government can strengthen the scheme when necessary.
Raymond Yap Soon Boon
More Singaporeans would probably like to enjoy such benefits, and we may have the means if we plan early ("Pioneers package Part 2? 'It'll depend on next generation' "; last Tuesday).
Perhaps it is time to initiate a portable outpatient medical scheme for younger Singaporeans.
Currently, many employers provide outpatient medical benefits for employees.
Under a portable outpatient medical benefit scheme, younger working adults who keep themselves healthy can carry over the surplus money to use when they get older.
There are many advantages of such a scheme.
First, the young can be encouraged to keep themselves healthy with the aim of saving more money to use later.
Second, as the money in the scheme belongs to the individual, he will be more discerning when spending it.
More importantly, the scheme encourages self-reliance and promotes individual responsibility.
Rather than depend on the future generation, we should start to take charge of our own health care and take action to deal with our health-care costs.
With this scheme, Singaporeans who are actively employed can contribute to subsidies for their future medical bills.
This scheme can act as another safety net and be administered like the current Pioneer Generation Package.
There can never be too many safety nets and the Government can strengthen the scheme when necessary.
Raymond Yap Soon Boon
