This is nearly double the number that qualified for such assistance in Jan
By Linette Lai, The Straits Times, 30 Aug 2014
By Linette Lai, The Straits Times, 30 Aug 2014
This is nearly double the number that qualified for such benefits in January.
"In fact, a doctor has actually told me that some pioneers have already called up to pre-book appointments for September," said Senior Minister of State for Health Amy Khor yesterday, during a visit to GP and dental clinics in Bedok South.
Now, there are 850,000 people on the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS), a nationwide programme for middle- to lower- income households.
This includes 150,000 pioneer generation members who had previously qualified because of their income level or housing type.
The remaining seniors will join the scheme, which gives them subsidies at more than 1,100 participating GP and dental clinics, on Monday.
On the same day, lower- to middle-income Singaporeans will also start getting subsidies of between 60 per cent and 70 per cent at specialist outpatient clinics (SOCs) - more than the 50 per cent subsidy for regular patients.
On top of this, the pioneer generation will get an extra 50 per cent off at these clinics.
Those who wish to seek subsidised care should see a polyclinic doctor or - for those who have CHAS cards or belong to the pioneer generation - a GP on the CHAS scheme, she said.
"If need be - if the doctor assesses that they need specialised care - then they can be referred to the SOC for subsidised care," she said.
Dr Khor also said she had received queries from pioneer generation members on whether they should still apply for CHAS cards.
She suggested that those who fall in the lower- to middle- income bracket should do so, as this means they would get even higher subsidies at SOCs.
Dr Khor also said she had received queries from pioneer generation members on whether they should still apply for CHAS cards.
She suggested that those who fall in the lower- to middle- income bracket should do so, as this means they would get even higher subsidies at SOCs.
One person who has already booked her slot ahead of time is housewife May Leong, 65. Yesterday, she made a dental appointment for January next year.
"I know the scheme starts in September, so I wanted to see what kind of dental benefits they had available," she said.
Dr Lim Yong Chin of Access Medical Bedok South said he has been receiving more queries about the Pioneer Generation Package in the past month.
He added that one of the most common questions is how much subsidy they will be getting.
"I try and explain it in terms of the average bill cost," he said. "That makes it a lot more real for them."
Disabled pioneers get free screenings at home
By Nur Asyiqin Mohamad Salleh, The Straits Times, 30 Aug 2014
By Nur Asyiqin Mohamad Salleh, The Straits Times, 30 Aug 2014
A TRIP to the clinic is too difficult for 82-year-old Abu Bakar Tik, who lost the use of his legs after being hospitalised for pneumonia two years ago.
He now spends his day in a reclining chair at his three-room flat in Bukit Batok East, and has to be helped to the toilet for a shower by his wife and grandson.
"I struggle to move him, even when my grandson is here," said his wife Jamila Abdul Kadir, 71, in Malay. "Don't even ask about going out of the house."
But yesterday, Mr Abu Bakar got a visit by a physiotherapist at his home to assess whether he qualifies for the Pioneer Generation Disability Assistance Scheme (PioneerDAS).
The house visit was part of Jurong GRC MP Halimah Yacob's push to help as many pioneers as possible benefit from the scheme.
In the first effort of its kind, residents in her Bukit Batok East ward can sign up for free screenings to determine if they are eligible for PioneerDAS.
Under the scheme, those who cannot do at least three activities on their own, such as bathing, dressing and eating, will receive $1,200 a year as part of the Pioneer Generation Package.
But to qualify, they need to be certified by assessors like doctors or physiotherapists. Such screenings cost about $35 at polyclinics and $45 at private clinics.
Ms Zainab Syed Abdul Rahman, 61, who uses a cane, accompanied her 101-year-old aunt Meriyam Syed Salim, who uses a wheelchair, for the free screening.
"I'm retired, so even little things like this help with our monthly expenses," she said.
A doctor, occupational therapist and physiotherapist from JurongHealth conducted the screening yesterday. They saw about 18 residents at Bukit Batok East Community Club in the afternoon, and visited another 12 at home.
About 100 residents have already signed up for screenings. A second session will be held in October. Madam Halimah, who is the Speaker of Parliament, attended the first screening at her ward yesterday and hopes to see similar efforts at other wards.
Commenting on recent appeals by seniors who missed out on qualifying for the Pioneer Generation Package, she said those whose appeals fail should not despair as there are other avenues for help.
The package's benefits include subsidies for outpatient care and annual Medisave top-ups.
"Our society and health-care system are compassionate enough to assess them on a case-by-case basis," she said.
Singaporeans must be 65 or older this year and must have become a citizen before 1987 to be recognised as pioneers.
Last-minute appeal by over 1,200 for pioneer package
By Priscilla Goy And Linette Lai, The Straits Times, 29 Aug 2014
By Priscilla Goy And Linette Lai, The Straits Times, 29 Aug 2014
MORE than 1,200 people have made a last-minute appeal to be counted for the Pioneer Generation Package, even as those eligible received their cards this month. That is more than six times the 180 or so requests received as of two months ago.
To be counted among the pioneers, one must be 65 or older this year and must have become a citizen before 1987. About 450,000 people qualify.
Among those who appealed, about half do not meet the age criterion, and the rest do not meet the citizenship criterion.
MPs interviewed by The Straits Times said most of the residents who asked them for help had just marginally missed the cut.
They said that most appeals started coming in recent weeks, as Sept 1 - when eligible seniors can start using their Pioneer Generation cards to enjoy health- care subsidies - draws nearer.
For instance, Ms Lee Bee Wah, an MP for Nee Soon GRC, said that until last week, she had received fewer than 10 appeal requests. But at her Meet-the-People Session on Monday, there were four requests - adding up to "about a dozen" so far.
Awareness has also grown, as MPs spread the news of the package. "When I personally distributed the package, there was one resident from my Nee Soon East ward who came to appeal and her husband was part of the pioneer generation," said Mr Patrick Tay, also an MP for Nee Soon GRC.
There is a 10-member panel to look into the cases. It focuses on people who miss out on the citizenship criterion.
They include those "who have lived in Singapore since the early years and demonstrated clear efforts to sink roots here".
Mr Charles Chong, MP for Joo Chiat, spoke to someone who was a teacher for over 10 years before she got her citizenship - but not before 1987. "Due to her long service and contributions, there were grounds to put in an appeal."
Mr Charles Chong, MP for Joo Chiat, spoke to someone who was a teacher for over 10 years before she got her citizenship - but not before 1987. "Due to her long service and contributions, there were grounds to put in an appeal."
Ms Lee said that some who had come from overseas "were busy working and did not apply for citizenship until much later".
For the age cut-off, the Finance Ministry said an inclusive approach had been taken by setting the threshold at an age of at least 16 at the time of Singapore's independence in 1965, instead of adulthood.
Ms Ellen Lee, an MP for Sembawang GRC, hopes the panel will be generous to those who are ill or from needy families. "I had one resident who listed 11 illnesses that she had when she asked me for help. She hopes to be counted as the Pioneer Generation Package would be useful for her."
Mr Timothy James de Souza, who chairs the appeals panel, said: "We would like to thank appellants and their families for sharing their life stories with us. The panel feels that each case is unique and therefore deserves to be considered on its own merits."