Data on Current Healthcare Subsidy Schemes for Special Needs Children and Identifying Potential Subsidy Coverage Gaps

Ms Elysa Chen asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health (a) whether the Ministry tracks data on the number of special needs children who have benefited from current healthcare subsidy schemes; (b) if so, what is the number; and (c) whether there are plans to study and identify potential gaps in healthcare subsidy coverage for special needs children.

The Ministry of Health does not specifically track the number of children with special needs who have benefited from healthcare subsidy schemes. In general, healthcare subsidies are provided based on the medical needs of the patients and tiered based on household income level, so that more help can go to lower-income families.