From June 16, letters were sent out to inform those who qualify for the PGP, supposedly to spell out clearly the lifetime benefits they will be entitled to.
In August, the first sign of the roll out of promises came in the form of Medisave top ups.
The PGP welcome pack was sent out in late August, which contains the key Pioneer Generation Card, to open the door for special subsidies at general practitioner (GP) and dental clinics under the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS), polyclinics, and Specialist Outpatient Clinics.
Senior Minister of State for Health Amy Khor, and Senior Minister of State for Finance Josephine Teo were on hand at the PGP Taskforce production site on July 22 to check on the progress of the promotional material. Khor was clear with her mission: "We will also work closely with the grassroots and other groups, VWOs included, besides our frontline staff, to explain the package to them. The welcome pack is the PG card but the benefits itself, we will have to explain to them probably in more detail."
Someone else who had to be familiar with the details of the package was the prime minister who personally presented the PGP to some 200 elderly Singaporeans at the Teck Ghee Community Club on Saturday evening, August 30.
Come September 1, the pioneers trooped to the participating polyclinics and specialist outpatient clinics to enjoy the additional 50 per cent off subsidised services such as consultation and blood tests. Some, like 82 year old Ang, reportedly postponed treatment last week to take advantage of the subsidies, "My daughter wanted to bring me here on Friday as I was feverish, but I wanted to wait till today to get the discount."
Only to discover that the discount does not apply for prescribed drugs or medication, which comes into effect only from January 1. In non-clinical terms, batteries are not included. Hopefully, other PGP qualified senior citizens will not be rescheduling their medical appointments till January next year, or kick the bucket in the interim. As to why this little detail was not publicised, it's anybody's guess. One clue does come to mind: "What's wrong with collecting more money?"
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| ... the devil is in the details |
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One would have thought million dollars ministers would have planned the PGP in full details. After all, we pay them top money to do their jobs. Such a gap is not acceptable but no one is worried as we have a culture called "Lets move on" and no one will be prosecuted.
ReplyDeleteThe PGP is long over-due and has been done by most governments of the developed countries as a matter of course for generations. This belated package is now being introduced on TV literally by a song and dance. Can someone please get Mark Lee and the cross-dresser off my TV screen?
ReplyDeleteThis PGP is a massive vote-buying exercise. You can hear the publicity campaign going day-in, day-out. But, what they don't tell you is that terms and conditions apply. It is clear that the PGP is a failure. The elderlies remain clueless about what entitlements they will get. They offer you a chicken wing now, expect them to take a chicken from you later.
ReplyDeleteAll PAP policies that is supposed to be good for Singaporeans cannot be trusted to do what they are promising to do.
DeleteBut PAP policies that are bad for us like "National Service" ... you can bet no exceptions will be made. The gallon of blood demanded must be paid in full.
I am convinced the pioneer generation package is a vote-buying exercise. Just read this http://therealsingapore.com/content/tactics-pap-using-buy-votes-singaporeans-part-1
DeleteIdiotic.
ReplyDeleteWhat to do, idiots are in charge.
DeleteI like the title. Ha Ha.
ReplyDeleteMy mum is chronic sick and in nursing hospital. The Pioneer generation card is useless. We have to pay her medical fees and subject to yearly review.
ReplyDeleteThe irony is that the Pioneer Generation package comes from the NIRC, which comes from your CPF invested in GIC, which by right should go back to all CPF contributors in cash, instead of going into Medisave and Medishield Life for the oldies. The government has spent zero cents, nada, zilch, for their votes. Very creative pork barrel.
ReplyDeleteFor sure I know the PGP money did not come from PAP.
DeletePAP is just giving us money that belongs to us.
And expecting Singaporeans to be grateful.
I think it is sad the old man put up with a fever for 3 days to save a few dollars. How can our millionaire minister ever understand the kind of poverty in today's Singapore?
ReplyDeleteIt is alrite when the time come to self sacrifice or bleed in real blood for the PAP due to external threats...just don't do anything...let us all with the PAP died together then.
ReplyDeleteThe least we can do to these self serving scum.
Rest assured that the Elites will never be around when any danger happens. They would have scooted at the Very First Sign and Omen of Danger.
DeleteOnly the Foolish Sinkies prepare themselves to do the stupid things. Sin is indefensible to external threats for the live of the Elites are more precious than anything on this tiny dot.
And
also be certain that the Elites have prepared themselves well overseas for such a situation which is very real.