Should Kiwis who willfully refuse to get vaccinated against COVID-19 be denied free medical treatment?
That's the question of the day after Singapore announced those who choose to remain unvaccinated will have to foot their own medical bills.
"Currently, unvaccinated persons make up a sizeable majority of those who require intensive inpatient care and disproportionately contribute to the strain on our healthcare resources," Singapore's health ministry said in a statement.
"Hence, from December 8, 2021, we will begin charging COVID-19 patients who are unvaccinated by choice.
"COVID-19 medical bills, for those who are ineligible for vaccination, will still be fully paid for by the government."
On Monday, University of Auckland epidemiologist Rod Jackson warned even if we reach our 90 percent vaccination target, the remaining 10 percent of hold-outs could overwhelm our hospital system.
"At 90 percent, that is still 421,000 eligible Kiwis that haven't been vaccinated - 900,000 under 12. Just do the sums - that is 1.3 million-plus people unvaccinated," he told The AM Show
"It doesn't matter whether one in 500 get hospitalized, that would completely overwhelm the New Zealand health services.
"If they say it's their choice and they end up getting sick [with COVID] and hospitalised then you and I won't have a choice to go into hospital when we do something maybe stupid like fall off a ladder or someone else hits us."
On Twitter, The New Zealand Initiative chief economist Dr Eric Crampton shared news of Singapore's decision, adding when demand for health services outstrips the ability to supply them, then "something has to ration". Dr Crampton wrote in detail on how New Zealand will soon need to decide on how to ration hospital services in Newsroom last month.
"This rationing option has the advantage of encouraging vaccination and consequently sharply reducing need for health services in the first place," he said.
"I reject that it is more moral or ethical to deny treatment to everyone who will be pushed out of hospital and ICU by willfully unvaccinated COVID cases."
What do you think? Should people who choose not to get vaxxed bear the financial consequences of their actions if they get hospitalised?
Have your say in Newshub's straw poll below. Click here if you're having trouble viewing the poll.
Disclaimer: This straw poll is not scientific and closes after 24 hours.
