Proposal to Subsidise Hospitalisation Costs for Birth Deliveries up to C-class Ward Rates in Public Hospitals for First Two Children of Each Singaporean Family

Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim asked the Minister for Health whether the Ministry can consider to subsidise all hospitalisation costs for birth deliveries up to C-class ward rates in public hospitals for the first two children of each Singaporean family regardless of whether the child is delivered in public or private hospitals in Singapore.

Singaporean patients are eligible for Government subsidies of up to 80% for inpatient treatment in B2 or C wards of public hospitals, with no limit on the number of inpatient episodes. However, Government resources are limited, and for more equitable distribution, the subsidies have to be means-tested and hospitalisation stays in A or B1 wards at public hospitals, or private hospitals, are not subsidised. The same principle applies to all healthcare services, including maternity and delivery services.

Nevertheless, regardless of the choice of public or private hospitals, as well as private or subsidised wards, all Singaporeans can tap on the MediSave Maternity Package (MMP) to offset hospitalisation costs for deliveries. Under the MMP, patients can claim up to the daily hospital charge limit of $550 for the first two days and $400 for the third and subsequent day of their hospitalisation episode from their MediSave. They can also claim from a separate withdrawal limit for the delivery procedure, which ranges from $750 for a normal vaginal delivery to $2,150 or more for a more complicated delivery such as caesarean birth. For instance, patients can claim up to $3,150 from their MediSave for their pre-delivery expenses and a normal vaginal delivery with a three-day hospitalisation stay.

The Government also provides support for children’s healthcare needs. Singaporean newborns receive a $4,000 MediSave Grant, and there are free nationally-recommended childhood vaccinations and developmental screenings at all polyclinics and Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) General Practitioner clinics.

Following a Singaporean child’s birth, parents also receive up to between $14,000 and $28,000 in Baby Bonus Cash Gift and Government contributions to their Child Development Account savings, depending on their child’s birth order. These are part of the Marriage and Parenthood (M&P) Package which also includes support for other aspects such as housing, preschool and parental leave.