It isn’t some publicity stunt or a parody piece.
You might have noticed this curious “Make America Singapore” headline making its way around social media lately. But no, it isn’t some publicity stunt or a parody piece that has gotten people talking about it across both continents. It’s actually the title of an op-ed piece in the NY Times by Ross Douthat, highlighting the relative success of Singapore’s healthcare system against the backdrop of chaos that America is currently facing.
State Of Healthcare In Singapore Vs America
Regardless of quality of education or a country’s happiness, there is always curiosity in the challenge of spotting your own country’s name on the list. Therefore, when it came to spotting Singapore on Bloomberg’s 2014 Healthcare Efficiency Index, I was excited to note that the effort required was minimal.
We ranked second (a constant since 2009) with an efficiency score of 84.2, just about 4.7 points behind Hong Kong. Considering the size of our nation, it was surreal to see ourselves ranked so high within the global arena as much as I knew that the healthcare system in Singapore is an exemplary one.
However, on the other end of the spectrum, a greater divide can be observed amid the fluster that surrounds the ObamaCare repeal and healthcare reforms in a country with a less efficient healthcare system in the world. The controversy on Obamacare is due to its “state-run marketplace” system where businesses are made to provide health insurance to their employees. The case many anti-Obamacare fanatics will use is the claim that it “imposes too many costs on business, with many describing it as a “job killer”. Which is none other than Singapore’s situation. Yes, some complain about the contributions but in the long run, it works.
Out of 55 countries, the United States was ranked 50th. I’m not all for the new TrumpCare that has been estimated will see 24 million lesser Americans with health insurance; however, ObamaCare is far from perfect, rife with premium hikes that are untenable.
Sure, the United States and Singapore are worlds apart whether geographically, demographically or ideologically, but the foundation of a good healthcare system can be replicated. That’s why the global superpower has much to learn from our Little Red Dot because Singapore spends only 3% of its GDP on healthcare, while the US spends closer to 18%—yet, Singapore ranks 48 spots ahead.
Reason Being…
For one, under the Medisave program, we have a mandatory health-savings account (deducted monthly from our CPF) that our respective employers contribute to as well. On the other hand, although health insurances have been made mandatory under ObamaCare, a health-savings account is still voluntary in the United States.
It is also worthy to note that catastrophic insurance in Singapore comes from a government-run, single-payer system, MediShield. Therefore, although Singaporeans are paying for much of our own care out of our own pockets, long-term illnesses and prolonged hospitalisations are usually well-covered, easing a significant financial burden.
With policies like Obamacare, it seems like an individual is not prioritised enough in this changing world. It lacks such a system, as health insurances, although funded by federal government, are still purchased on the marketplaces.
Small as we might be, Singapore is highly ambitious and aims to become a thought leader and hub for biomedical research and education in Asia—which is why the government has set aside $19 billion to invest in local R&D efforts for the next five years, and true to our prediction, a quality lead/manager in this industry will be one of the most well-paid profession in Singapore not just in 2017, but for many years to come.
In Conclusion
The success of Singapore’s healthcare system is in part due to heavy-handed government intervention. As much as we groan about the CPF contribution levels that have been predetermined for us, our government is like an overbearing mother whose incessant nagging is ultimately for our own good.
Although Obamacare which seemingly is good in a sense that the state provides for you, it is also what led to the resentment of many other republicans. It’s taking what others have to redistribute in light of others’ suffering which, doesn’t seem sustainable in a country like Singapore.
And that’s exactly what Dunthat proposed, to build a country like Singapore where the government does not totally rid itself of its nation’s medical situation but does just enough to ensure that everyone does their part.
In Singapore’s case, minimising direct public spending and third-party payments, and forcing us to save for the rainy days, the government has helped us to free up disposable income that allows us to indulge in our favourite activities like cafe-hopping and online shopping on the new Zara platform.
But, to expect the Americans to follow in our footsteps and emulate our healthcare system word for word is quixotic. It’s not just because Singapore and the United States are vastly different at the end of the day, but it would require a degree of statism and paternalism that present-day American conservatism instinctively rejects.
