Why Are Healthcare Costs Rising In Singapore – Is There Really Nothing We Can Do About It?

Healthcare costs are on the rise all over the world, including in Singapore, because of factors ranging from inflation to ageing populations. As of 2021, the government accounted for more than half of Singapore’s healthcare expenditure, while a fifth comes out of individuals’ pockets. Some are asking: Why can’t healthcare be free, or why aren’t there more subsidies? The short answer: Sustainably financing healthcare requires careful balancing. CNA Insider speaks to hospital frontliners, an economist and others to uncover what’s driving healthcare costs up — and how these can be managed. To ensure that healthcare remains affordable for all, the government is raising MediShield Life premiums from April 2025 to support higher claim limits and expanded coverage for more treatments such as cell, tissue and gene therapy. (Video produced in partnership with the Ministry of Health.) 00:00 Introduction 02:34 Why knee-replacement surgery has gotten more costly 03:18 How a hospital fights inflation and rising manpower costs 04:14 Why an ageing population means more expensive healthcare 04:59 How Singapore pays for healthcare: subsidies, insurance and savings 05:39 Why can’t healthcare be free of charge? 06:02 Why can’t healthcare be more heavily subsidised? 06:25 Why not rely on private insurance only? 07:13 Expanding MediShield Life coverage: What are the trade-offs? 09:45 How the Agency for Care Effectiveness (ACE) keeps drug, medtech costs low 11:10 How General Practitioners(GP) can help reduce costs 11:51 Why enrol in Healthier SG? Have feedback or an idea for a story? Email [email protected] #CNAInsider #Singapore #hospital #Healthcare #healthcarecosts Also watch: Why Some Hospital Patients Wait Hours For A Bed: What Can Be Done? | Talking Point | Full Episode    • Why Some Hospital Patients Wait Hours For ...   Inside Singapore’s Fight Against Kidney Failure: A Looming Dialysis Crisis?    • Inside Singapore’s Fight Against Kidney Fa...   Life As An ICU Advanced Practice Nurse: Advising Doctors, Examining Patients Like A Boss    • Life As An ICU Advanced Practice Nurse: Ad...   For more, SUBSCRIBE to CNA INSIDER! https://cna.asia/insideryoutubesub Follow CNA INSIDER on: Instagram:   / cnainsider   Facebook:   / cnainsider   Website: https://cna.asia/cnainsider