Singapore will stop covering the medical bills of unvaccinated COVID-19 patients

[twin_ghost]

https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2021/11/09/1053889069/singapore-medical-bills-covid-19-patients-unvaccinated-by-choice

Singapore's government has been covering the medical bills of COVID-19 patients throughout the pandemic. But it says unvaccinated people will soon be on their own.

Those who are "unvaccinated by choice" will have to start paying for their own COVID-19 treatment starting Dec. 8, the Ministry of Health announced on Monday, citing the strain they are putting on the nation's health care system.

"Currently, unvaccinated persons make up a sizeable majority of those who require intensive inpatient care, and disproportionately contribute to the strain on our healthcare resources," it said in a statement.

Until now, the government has been covering the cost of COVID-19 care for all Singaporeans, permanent residents and long-term pass holders, excluding those who tested positive after returning from overseas travel.

"This was to avoid financial considerations adding to public uncertainty and concern when COVID-19 was an emergent and unfamiliar disease," it explained, adding that this system will continue to apply to "the majority who are vaccinated ... until the COVID-19 situation is more stable."

[bluecollar2]

1. It's time for America's insurance industry

To adopt a similar position.

[twin_ghost]

2. I don't know if they can becuase of the Americans with Disabilty Act and Obamacare rules.

Although that make people get vaccinated if they did do something like that.

[Maru Kitteh]

3. Delta is charging unvaccinated $200/mo extra for their insurance.

So it must be possible.

[twin_ghost]

4. I can see uping their insurance premuim. But denying coverage outright might violate the law??

I think I read that95% of Delta employees got vaccinated once they knew their insurance premiums would jump.

[nycbos]

5. I think you can hike insurance premiums.

Tobacco users get charged higher health insurance premiums.

Also they have higher life insurance premiums. I was a life insurance agent for a bit that job wasn't for me.

[dalton99a]

6. Kick

[NowISeetheLight]

7. How about medical bankruptcy?

You currently can not (usually) discharge student loan debt in bankruptcy. How about a law change that says if you have covid medical bills and are unvaccinated you can't discharge them in bankruptcy?