NOTICE PAPER NO. 1984
NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER
FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON OR AFTER 5 JULY 2023
Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song
MP for Aljunied GRC
Question No. 4691
To ask the Minister for Health (a) whether there are plans to increase the means-testing thresholds for annual values of properties (AVs) given that IRAS has revised the AVs upwards on 1 January 2023 to reflect the rise in market rents; and (b) why is the Ministry not using the AVs as of 2022 for the purpose of means-tested healthcare subsidies for households with zero PCHI.
Answer
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As IRAS has just revised the annual values (AV) of properties upwards from 1 Jan 2023, agencies such as MOH continue to use AVs as at 31 December 2022 to conduct means-testing for healthcare subsidies in 2023.
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Given the 2023 increase in AVs, MOF had previously informed that social support schemes, including the AV thresholds, will be reviewed. An update will be provided later this year. Individuals who face difficulties in paying for their healthcare expenses due to a change in their AV under such circumstances may approach their respective healthcare institution or provider for assistance.