Are you ready for 7 million people on tiny Singapore?
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Mdm Koh:
On the basis of the size of the sector's (buried under Other Services, in the singstat link) contributions to GDP. Other services is less than 3.5% of the contribution to GDP, therefore the GST receipts for healthcare, even at a huge stretch, should not be anything near 10% of the total GST receipts.How did you arrive at the conclusion that healthcare's contribution to total GST revenue is 10%?
Also, sorry, I don't think $3 billion nett is an impressive figure to spend on healthcare policies for a greying population of 5.3 million.
$3 billion is a lot of money for one person but not enough for a whole country.
You distract from the point. The point is not about whether $3 billion is the right number, the point is that the g'ment puts more back into healthcare than it takes out in GST, much much more. They are not, as you put it, making money off people in healthcare.
So don't fixate on the GST!
Anyhow, I don't really aim to convince you, since you seem very set in this view, but I think it's barking up the wrong tree. -
3Boys:
When did I say that? :?You distract from the point. The point is not about whether $3 billion is the right number, the point is that the g'ment puts more back into healthcare than it takes out in GST, much much more. They are not, as you put it, making money off people in healthcare.
So don't fixate on the GST!
Anyhow, I don't really aim to convince you, since you seem very set in this view, but I think it's barking up the wrong tree. -
limlim:
You pay GST before for such goods when you are carrying them or put them unpacked (w/o original boxes, price tag) in luggage?Harlequin:
[quote=\"pirate\"]$1,000,000 Ferrari. GST $70,000. Cannot buy from Italy. Actually can, but still have to pay the GST when shipped into Singapore.
Any goods above SGD400 brought in to SG for consumption are liable for GST; can hide lah, but must pray hard don't get caught, if get caught kena pay hefty fine plus GST.
Even those luxury items bought at Changi Airport departure hall's duty free shops if brought back to SG on your returning flight are subjected to GST.
For item shipped in, yes. For hand carry stuff.. highly doubt so. Unless you looked like bringing them in to sell that kind.[/quote]Never. Cos I always declare.
But I have seen people being caught.... unpacked and bagged in luggage. Note that they can summon your credit cards statement, once they tell you that, then you better own up. These are usually the luxury designer items lah. -
Mdm Koh:
Well, here...
When did I say that? :?3Boys:
You distract from the point. The point is not about whether $3 billion is the right number, the point is that the g'ment puts more back into healthcare than it takes out in GST, much much more. They are not, as you put it, making money off people in healthcare.
So don't fixate on the GST!
Anyhow, I don't really aim to convince you, since you seem very set in this view, but I think it's barking up the wrong tree.Mdm Koh:
If you think the g'ment is not making money off people overall in healthcare, then what's the issue with GST?I think exemption of GST on healthcare can be done; it's whether the government wants to do it. It's much more comfortable for them to maintain high revenues, but at what cost to the people?
Back on point, the g'ment puts much more back into healthcare than they take out of it in GST, so I don't see the issue of GST in healthcare.
And as Harlequin says, our per capita spend is actually pretty high. -
3Boys:
This is plainly incorrect. Our spending in health care and education is the lowest in percentage of GDP among developed countries.
And as Harlequin says, our per capita spend is actually pretty high. -
WeiHan:
He was making reference to the region.
This is plainly incorrectly. Our spending in health care and education is the lowest in percentage of GDP among developed countries.3Boys:
And as Harlequin says, our per capita spend is actually pretty high.
You are free to provide rankings and per capita figures. -
3Boys:
Well, here...
When did I say that? :?Mdm Koh:
[quote=\"3Boys\"]You distract from the point. The point is not about whether $3 billion is the right number, the point is that the g'ment puts more back into healthcare than it takes out in GST, much much more. They are not, as you put it, making money off people in healthcare.
So don't fixate on the GST!
Anyhow, I don't really aim to convince you, since you seem very set in this view, but I think it's barking up the wrong tree.Mdm Koh:
If you think the g'ment is not making money off people overall, then what's the issue with GST?[/quote]All I am saying is, it is more comfortable for for the government to maintain high revenues which include the collection of a value-added tax on medical services. If they do away with this source of revenue (no matter how small you think it is, your suggested percentage is inferred and unproven), the overall revenue figures will be affected and they will not look good.I think exemption of GST on healthcare can be done; it's whether the government wants to do it. It's much more comfortable for them to maintain high revenues, but at what cost to the people?
However, while it is clear that GST on a $100 hairdressing service is valid, when it comes to essentials like healthcare, the pros and cons need to be carefully weighed. There are different viewpoints on the matter, so I do not think that you should dismiss my view as \"barking up the wrong tree\" or one that is based on clouded judgement.
I believe you know that a VAT like the GST is problematic. It has its critics and it is not applied for essential goods and services in a number of countries. It is unpopular because it affects people's lives negatively. But that is not to say that it has no merit at all. I think the important thing is to balance its economic efficacy with its impact on the citizens. -
3Boys:
He was making reference to the region.
This is plainly incorrectly. Our spending in health care and education is the lowest in percentage of GDP among developed countries.WeiHan:
[quote=\"3Boys\"]
And as Harlequin says, our per capita spend is actually pretty high.
You are free to provide rankings and per capita figures.[/quote]This issue is well known and has been raised many times by both NMP and opposition party members.
I think we don't have to rank it. Singapore is among the last in the world comparable to oppressive regimes that don't give a hook to their citizens in term of health care spending.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2012/jun/30/healthcare-spending-world-country -
3Boys:
Did the pple who kpkb even go thru or experience (self or close friends/relatives) the hassles of having a foreigner spouse?
Geez....did you even reflect before you said that???limlim:
How would I not understand this. If one wanna get a foreign spouse, one shd willingly pay the cost.
I did, as I mentioned I went to ICA and at times more in a year than your total trips to renew passports combined.
And I tell you, it is not as fun as queuing for passport (which essentially is fuss free as the efficient govt make it for Singaporeans). Did you ever joined a queue OUTSIDE ICA building at 0750hrs on a Saturday morning?
As someone(not saying you, not personal) who never go thru all these, I wonder they kpkb so much for what.
If I get a foreigner spouse, I am prepare to go all the way. That little inconvenience meant nothing. I have essentially experienced all the hassles and inconvenience.
So, what is it you expect me to reflect on?
Why am I beginning to feel the Singaporeans are indeed too pampered.. Want foreign spouse and expect residency delivered in a platter? A given?
There is no barrier to true love. If he/she is worth it, go for it.
Different story if it is marriage of convenience. It is really NOT convenient. -
Harlequin:
Must marry up, cannot marry down :siam:[/quote]\"Low Class\"?
Ya lor. Must discourage Singaporeans from marrying foreigners from those low class countries. We don't want them muddying the pure bloodlines of true blue Singaporeans.pirate:
[quote=\"limlim\"]How would I not understand this. If one wanna get a foreign spouse, one shd willingly pay the cost. I believe I have visited the ICA more times than you go and renew your passport, for all kinds of stuffs at level 4 with my friend.
Cannot tahan a bit of inconvenience?
They already send a man to space, SG didn't even come close to that. What kind of childish remark is that..
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