Free Medicine

[USSDefiantNX74205]

Here's a link to a newspaper report in the star today about free medicine for the lower income group.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2004/12/14/nation/9652273&sec=nation

When I read the report this morning, I was applauding this guy Datuk Mohamed Aziz for slamming the proposal to stop giving free medicine. That is, until a few lines later when I saw this:

?Why is the deputy minister coming up with this?? he asked, saying that giving Panadol and medicine for headaches should not be a burden to the Government.

?Jangan nak mengada-ngada (Don?t try to be funny). This (move) will only hurt the future of Barisan Nasional,? he said.

I guess you know where my stand is on this issue, but I'd like to ask you guys a couple of questions:

1. Where do you stand on free medicine for the lower-income group, and

2. Have we stooped to such a low level that giving free medicine is now considered a tool to win votes instead of helping the needy?

[youngyew]

Have we stooped to such a low level that giving free medicine is now considered a tool to win votes instead of helping the needy?
Yes, in fact I guess when our dignitaries are doing anything, one of the first agenda they have is whether the action would fish more votes. That's sad.

[pandaboy]

Have we stooped to such a low level that giving free medicine is now considered a tool to win votes instead of helping the needy?
Yes, in fact I guess when our dignitaries are doing anything, one of the first agenda they have is whether the action would fish more votes. That's sad.

Yeah...so do they actually want to be there in their positions ...or do they actually want to serve the "rakyat"?

[chenchow]

I would say that it is just the opinion of one of the MPs. I would say that this issue of providing medicine at RM1 currently, for as much medicine as you need and as much consultation as you need is causing a dent in the coffer of taxpayers. Government of Malaysia spends about RM8 billion on health sector, while generating a revenue of RM150 million. That means, we are paying for less than 2% of the cost of health care.

I would propose that limitation be given on medicine, i.e. the doctors should only give sufficient medicine. Right now, you can just walk to any government clinic, give RM1 and take as much panadol as you wish, even more than 100 panadols. No one cares. And this is a serious problem, especially since a large percentage of those medicine is wasted.

I would suggest that medicine be charged at the cost price, or slightly lower than cost and be given only up to what is needed. Say 10 panadols at RM1. And if any patient cannot afford to pay, they would be required to fill up a waiver form. I am sure those who can afford wouldn't want to spend a few minutes filling up a form to save RM4 right? But that RM1-5 per person for 150 million hospital/clinic visit, that would mean another RM300-500 million, which could be used for many other health-care purposes.

[__earth]

Welfare-state. Welfare-state. Welfare-state. Welfare-state. Welfare-state. Welfare-state. Welfare-state. Welfare-state. Welfare-state. Welfare-state. Welfare-state. Welfare-state. Welfare-state. Welfare-state. Welfare-state. Welfare-state. Welfare-state. Welfare-state. Welfare-state. Welfare-state.

compute into: -

more tax. more tax. more tax. more tax. more tax. more tax. more tax. more tax. more tax. more tax. more tax. more tax. more tax. more tax. more tax. more tax. more tax. more tax. more tax. more tax. more tax. more tax. more tax.

If I wanted to be taxed more, I would migrate to the Scandinavian countries. Free medicine, free education, free everything. You can live without even working too.

Of course, those that work will have to pay the tax. But who cares about the taxpayers. :(

cmon, its not about being uncaring. It's about being sensible.