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Singapore's

parliament hasenacted a universalhealth insurancescheme with nearly

US$3 billion insubsidies to help theelderly and lower-income people, as it

responds todemands for bettersocial safety nets.

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Lawmakers late Thursdaypassed the Med shield LifeScheme, the latest in a seriesof reforms including new

policies on immigration,housing, transport andeducation, introduced since2011 elections that saw theruling party's share of thepopular vote slip.

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Health Minister Gan Kim Yong said

the new scheme would makeSingapore a "more caring andprogressive society" and was theresult of consultations with thepublic.

The city-state has traditionallyfrowned upon welfarism, but it hasbecome one of the fastest-grayingsocieties in the world. Lifeexpectancy in Singapore nowstands at 82.5 years, according tothe statistics department.

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A health ministry primer said the

new scheme will provide "betterprotection for all Singaporeansfor life against large hospitalbills".

It said that over a five-year period,the government will provideSg$4.0 billion ($2.96 billion) insubsidies and other forms of

support to the elderly and thosewho cannot afford higherpremiums.

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Those with pre-existing healthconditions are also covered, withthe government helping to bearthe cost of insuring them.

Those who can afford butintentionally default on theirpayments can be fined and sued.Authorities are empowered tolook into health and incomerecords to calculate the premiumsand subsidies.

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Eugene Tan, an associate lawprofessor at the SingaporeManagement University and aformer appointed lawmaker, said

the move is significant."It certainly represents a shift inthe government's thinking withregards to the need for a stronger

social safety net," Tan told AFP.

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"It is significant

because it willgo some way inlightening theanxieties of

Singaporeansregarding risinghealthcarecosts.

Singaporeans are living longer,and families are getting smaller."

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Tan also said the new healthcare

policy would boost the credentialsof the ruling People's Acting Party(PAP), which overwhelminglycontrols parliament but saw its

share of the popular vote fall to 60percent in 2011 as votersdemanded reforms.

The next election is not due untilJanuary 2017 but earlier polls arewidely expected.

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The PAP "will be seen as notbeing so tight-fisted [withfunds] as before," Tan said,

adding that there were"expectations that thegovernment can do more,especially to lighten 'out-of-pocket' healthcare costs."

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Asian Development Bank (ADB)president Takehiko Nakao said ina speech last November thathealthcare costs are rising ascountries become moreprosperous and disease profiles

change.

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He cited a 2012 study by theManila-based bank showing thatin many developing countries,households spent four to sevenpercent of their budgets onhealth.

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