Pioneer Generation Package Case Analysis
1) Sylvia Lim, Member of Parliament (MP) for Aljunied GRC, ran into an elderly gentleman who served with her father in the army at Ghim Moh Hawker Centre. She chatted with him and told him that her father suffered two strokes and has not been well since. To which he replied, “We are all not well!” (Sylvia. L, 2014)
For this purpose, the Pioneer Generation Package (PGP) has been implemented in early August 2014 to make healthcare more affordable for the pioneer generation in Singapore. The PGP comprises of three segments- special subsidies for Medisave top-ups, outpatient care and life-long subsidies for Medishield life. The government has defined the pioneer generation to be a group of seniors aged 65 and above in 2014, been born on or before …show more content…
Pioneer seniors can enjoy healthcare subsidies and feel appreciated regardless of their family background and income statistics. Rising healthcare costs are a real concern for seniors as many have low incomes and suffer from various ailments and chronic illnesses. The PGP enables flexible use of Medisave, reassures that premiums for Medisheld will not require ‘out of pocket’ payments and the small token of $1200 annually for the disabled seniors may prove to be very …show more content…
MP for Hougang SMC, Png Eng Huat debated that determining the bar “at 16 years old at independence is a little too precise and will exclude Singaporeans who had to quit school to work during those times.” He explained that the Employment Act in 1968 allowed 13 year-olds to work in non-industrial settings and many will be marginally omitted. (Png E. H, 2014) Han Fook Kwang, Managing Editor at Singapore Press Holdings, echoed Png’s sentiments. He affirmed that “two generations transformed the country”- the pioneer generation and the one after it and that the state should give recognition to and relieve the financial burdens of the latter as well. (Han F. K, 2014) Last but not least, MP for Aljunied GRC, Muhamad Faisal raised questions about pioneers who contributed yet are stateless.
The government recognises this loophole and has allowed for those who were marginally left out to appeal for eligibility on a case-by-case basis. Though the criteria to pass these appeals are unknown, Ministry of Finance (MOF) said that applicants need to show “clear efforts to sink roots” in Singapore. James de Souza, chairman of the appeal panel, further assured the public that the diversity of backgrounds and experiences in the panel will ensure that each appeal is examined carefully with different perspectives. (Channel NewsAsia,
For this purpose, the Pioneer Generation Package (PGP) has been implemented in early August 2014 to make healthcare more affordable for the pioneer generation in Singapore. The PGP comprises of three segments- special subsidies for Medisave top-ups, outpatient care and life-long subsidies for Medishield life. The government has defined the pioneer generation to be a group of seniors aged 65 and above in 2014, been born on or before …show more content…
Pioneer seniors can enjoy healthcare subsidies and feel appreciated regardless of their family background and income statistics. Rising healthcare costs are a real concern for seniors as many have low incomes and suffer from various ailments and chronic illnesses. The PGP enables flexible use of Medisave, reassures that premiums for Medisheld will not require ‘out of pocket’ payments and the small token of $1200 annually for the disabled seniors may prove to be very …show more content…
MP for Hougang SMC, Png Eng Huat debated that determining the bar “at 16 years old at independence is a little too precise and will exclude Singaporeans who had to quit school to work during those times.” He explained that the Employment Act in 1968 allowed 13 year-olds to work in non-industrial settings and many will be marginally omitted. (Png E. H, 2014) Han Fook Kwang, Managing Editor at Singapore Press Holdings, echoed Png’s sentiments. He affirmed that “two generations transformed the country”- the pioneer generation and the one after it and that the state should give recognition to and relieve the financial burdens of the latter as well. (Han F. K, 2014) Last but not least, MP for Aljunied GRC, Muhamad Faisal raised questions about pioneers who contributed yet are stateless.
The government recognises this loophole and has allowed for those who were marginally left out to appeal for eligibility on a case-by-case basis. Though the criteria to pass these appeals are unknown, Ministry of Finance (MOF) said that applicants need to show “clear efforts to sink roots” in Singapore. James de Souza, chairman of the appeal panel, further assured the public that the diversity of backgrounds and experiences in the panel will ensure that each appeal is examined carefully with different perspectives. (Channel NewsAsia,