Yah Lah But #637 ft. Dr Paul Tambyah - Why He Chose Opposition Politics, Chee Soon Juan & the Politics of Public Healthcare
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Apr 1, 2025 Dr. Paul Tambyah, an infectious disease expert and opposition politician with the Singapore Democratic Party, shares his journey from medicine to politics. He discusses the intricacies of Singapore's healthcare system and critiques the shift toward privatization. Dr. Tambyah offers insights into the challenges of opposition politics and the importance of public trust, especially in light of COVID-19. He also explores the impact of misinformation on vaccine debates and advocates for a community-focused political approach to foster social harmony.
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Healthcare System Issues
- Despite improvements after 2011, Singapore's healthcare system still needs fixing due to replicating US healthcare mistakes.
- The focus is shifting from healthcare as a right to healthcare as an industry.
Taxes and Healthcare Costs
- Singapore's tax burden isn't significantly lower than other developed nations when considering indirect taxes like CPF, property taxes, and car taxes.
- Administrative costs are a major driver of increasing healthcare expenses.
Job Security Concerns
- After speaking out in 2011, people constantly assumed Dr. Tambyah would lose his job.
- He even got asked, "Are you going to buy a unit?", implying he'd been kicked out and would set up his own practice.
