MediShield changes won't cure cost, supply woes

THE MediShield Life Review Committee's key recommendations should go some way towards expanding and improving Singapore's national health insurance system, but the two challenges of supply and cost will continue to be pressing.

The latest comprehensive revision of MediShield Life includes changes such as extending coverage to pre-existing conditions, higher claim limits and lowering the age at which policyholders can enjoy premium rebates. Those are all measures that will make it easier for policyholders to get quality care.

But simply improving the policy's effects for holders, especially the less well-off segment of the population, goes only partly towards addressing the reason why those residents might need help in the first place. Without more aggressive steps to address cost and supply, there is a risk that policymakers may be healing only the symptoms and not the disease.