Singapore has made the announcement that, effective January 1, 2022, it will no longer cover the hospital expenses for COVID-19 treatments for individuals who are eligible for vaccination yet choose to remain unvaccinated. Until now, the government has been responsible for covering all COVID-19 treatment costs, but with the unvaccinated population accounting for a significant portion of recent hospitalizations, officials have decided to implement a change.
In the United States, individuals lacking health insurance can often seek assistance from their medical providers to have COVID-19 related care billed to the federal government. Conversely, in Singapore, the government has been covering treatment costs for all citizens diagnosed with COVID-19. However, starting January 1, those who are unvaccinated by choice—meaning they are eligible for the vaccine but still opt not to get vaccinated—will have to bear their own treatment costs if they contract the virus.
According to The Washington Post, the rationale behind this decision is clear. Data indicates that unvaccinated individuals represent a substantial majority of COVID-19 patients requiring hospitalization. “Currently, unvaccinated persons make up a sizable majority of those who require intensive inpatient care, and disproportionately contribute to the strain on our health care resources,” stated the Ministry of Health in a recent announcement. “COVID-19 patients who are unvaccinated by choice may still tap on regular health care financing arrangements to pay for their bills where applicable.”
With a vaccination rate of 85%, Singapore’s population is largely vaccinated compared to the United States, where only 59% of eligible individuals have received the vaccine. The government initially covered all COVID-19 treatment costs to alleviate financial concerns during the pandemic. Moving forward, however, vaccinated individuals, as well as those not yet eligible (like children under 12 and individuals with specific medical conditions), will continue to receive coverage. Nonetheless, those unvaccinated by choice will be responsible for their own medical expenses after January 1, 2022.
A 2017 study published in the prestigious medical journal The Lancet ranked Singapore’s healthcare system as the best among 188 nations, and many residents possess private health insurance, suggesting that paying for COVID-19 treatments should not pose a significant burden. “But we have to send this important signal to urge everyone to get vaccinated if you are eligible,” Health Minister Alex Tan remarked.
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In summary, Singapore’s government will stop covering COVID-19 treatment costs for individuals who choose not to get vaccinated from January 1, 2022. This decision comes as unvaccinated individuals account for a majority of hospital cases, prompting officials to encourage vaccination amid high vaccination rates within the country.