So What?

On Tuesday, the Singapore government issued a statement slamming socio-political website TR Emeritus (TRE) for publishing a letter which claimed that Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat’s medical expenses are paid by taxpayer monies. The letter on TRE state the minister's medical bills were borne by Singapore taxpayers, something the Singapore government state was a “blatant lie”. 

I have to ask this; So what if the Singapore government is footing Heng Swee Keat’s medical bills?

The man suffered his stoke during a Cabinet meeting. If he was a construction worker and suffered an injury during work, we would expect his company to pay for his medical bills right? If he suffering a fall in the office, it's not out of the question that the company paid for part of hospital bill right? Why should it be any different for a minister? 

Yes, the man is drawing a high salary. Yes, he is probably rich enough to pay the bills himself. So what? He suffered his stroke at work so shouldn't his employer, the Singapore government, foot at least part of the bill? In my mind, the answer is a simple "Yes".

To me, this is a non-issue. The Singapore government state ministers in Singapore are on the same medical benefit scheme as most civil servants. Well if the government is paying something on top of that, then I'm all for it. After all, it's only fair.