By: Patrick Lim
Just caught the Oprah show - "Sick in America, it can happen to u" on the hallmark channel which was telecast from 10 to 11 pm. One of the guests for tonight's episode is a celebrity film-maker, Mr Michael Moore, who gain fame for his documentary, Fahrenheit 9/11. Tonight's show highlights his latest piece, sicko which is an investigation of the American health care system.
Here is a piece of statistics that is indeed startling because there is an estimated 47 million Americans who are not covered by medical insurance. Today's show also focuses on the exorbitant healthcare costs in USA.
For example, to treat leukemia costs a whopping US$600,000.00!
Michael Moore cited that the number one cause of bankruptcies and homelessness in America was the inability of Americans to pay medical bills.
Patrick's Comments:
Understandably, healthcare costs will always remain a topical issue in any country. we emphatise with all of the 47 million Americans without medical insurance for one reason or another. Our health minister, Mr Khaw Boon Wan has done sterling work with many initiatives in place, one of which was the implementation of the integrated shield reform in mid 2005. Another significant one was the move to automatically insure all new born babies under the basic Medishield scheme.