STANDARDISING AND CAPPING MEDICAL REPORT FEES FOR ACTIVATION OF LPA ACROSS DIFFERENT HOSPITALS TO PREVENT DISPARITIES

NOTICE PAPER NO. 130 

NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 4 NOVEMBER 2025

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Mr David Hoe

MP for Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC

Question No. 397

To ask the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health (a) why there are significant disparities in medical report fees charged by different restructured hospitals for the activation of a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA); (b) whether the Ministry will consider standardising and capping such fees to avoid undue financial burden on families; and (c) whether means-tested subsidies or financial assistance for LPA activation can be provided to families in need.

Answer

1            Public healthcare institutions set fees for these medical reports on a cost recovery basis for manpower and other administrative costs incurred. Doctors may need to spend more time and effort to review medical records for more complex cases, and hence the charges may vary.

2            Patients with financial difficulties can approach medical social workers at public healthcare institutions for assistance with their medical report fee.