Healthcare in Singapore is getting more expensive, and fast. The latest WTW Global Medical Trends Report predicts medical costs could jump 16.9% in 2026, up from 15.5% last year and just over 12% in 2024, putting Singapore at the top of the Asia-Pacific chart.

At the same time, new insurance rules coming into effect this April mean patients may have to pay more out of pocket before coverage kicks in, even as premiums for some plans dip.

What’s behind these rising costs? Is healthcare becoming less affordable for everyday Singaporeans? 

On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Dr Akshar Saxena, Assistant Professor of Economics at Nanyang Technological University, to find out more. 

Healthcare in Singapore is getting more expensive, and fast. The latest WTW Global Medical Trends Report predicts medical costs could jump 16.9% in 2026, up from 15.5% last year and just over 12% in 2024, putting Singapore at the top of the Asia-Pacific chart.
At the same time, new insurance rules coming into effect this April mean patients may have to pay more out of pocket before coverage kicks in, even as premiums for some plans dip.
What&rsquo;s behind these rising costs? Is healthcare becoming less affordable for everyday Singaporeans?&nbsp;
On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Dr Akshar Saxena, Assistant Professor of Economics at Nanyang Technological University, to find out more.&nbsp;

Your Way Home with Hongbin Jeong is your 4–8pm drive companion, guiding you through the day’s biggest headlines, trending conversations and the issues shaping Singapore and the world.

From news and current affairs to lifestyle insights and generational perspectives, the show helps you make sense of what’s happening — with clarity, context and a touch of personality.

Whether you’re catching up after a long day or tuning in on the move, Your Way Home keeps you informed, engaged and connected — all the way home.

And she closes the day with a song that says it all.

Your Way Home with Hongbin Jeong is your 4&ndash;8pm drive companion, guiding you through the day&rsquo;s biggest headlines, trending conversations and the issues shaping Singapore and the world.
From news and current affairs to lifestyle insights and generational perspectives, the show helps you make sense of what&rsquo;s happening &mdash; with clarity, context and a touch of personality.
Whether you&rsquo;re catching up after a long day or tuning in on the move, Your Way Home keeps you informed, engaged and connected &mdash; all the way home.
And she closes the day with a song that says it all.

Your Way Home with Hongbin Jeong

MONEY FM 89.3 is Singapore’s first and only Business and Personal Finance station. MONEY FM is a 24-hour English talk format station featuring local and international business and financial news. We provide you with financial market and currency updates and insights from analysts, economists, policy makers, industry experts and business owners.

In the lighter hours, listen to discussions on social issues and features on topics that include health, education, arts and music.

MONEY FM 89.3 is Singapore&rsquo;s first and only Business and Personal Finance station. MONEY FM is a 24-hour English talk format station featuring local and international business and financial news. We provide you with financial market and currency updates and insights from analysts, economists, policy makers, industry experts and business owners.
In the lighter hours, listen to discussions on social issues and features on topics that include health, education, arts and music.

MONEY FM 89.3 is Singapore’s first and only Business and Personal Finance station.

MONEY FM 89.3

Your Way Home with Hongbin Jeong is your 4–8pm drive companion,

The Big Story: Medical cost inflation to hit record high - Will healthcare become less affordable in Singapore?

From Uniqlo sweatpants and Birkenstock clogs to oversized basics, Gen Z fashion has become instantly recognisable. While some see this shift towards comfort and practicality as a reflection of changing priorities, others argue that individuality and creativity are slowly being replaced by trends driven by social media. So, is Gen Z really taking the art out of fashion? Or are they simply redefining what fashion means today?

On The Agenda, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Mark, Founder and designer of Maroon Clothing, to explore how Gen Z is shaping Singapore's fashion culture, whether social media is diluting personal style, and what it will take to build a more creative fashion identity in Singapore.

From Uniqlo sweatpants and Birkenstock clogs to oversized basics, Gen Z fashion has become instantly recognisable. While some see this shift towards comfort and practicality as a reflection of changing priorities, others argue that individuality and creativity are slowly being replaced by trends driven by social media. So, is Gen Z really taking the art out of fashion? Or are they simply redefining what fashion means today?
On The Agenda, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Mark, Founder and designer of Maroon Clothing, to explore how Gen Z is shaping Singapore's fashion culture, whether social media is diluting personal style, and what it will take to build a more creative fashion identity in Singapore.

The Agenda:  From Uniqlo Sweatpants to Birkenstock Clogs… Is Gen Z Taking the Art Out of Fashion?

Singapore has been given a new 12.5 per cent US tariff over allegations linked to forced labour enforcement — a move that raises fresh questions for one of America's closest trading partners in Asia.

Although some of Singapore's biggest exports remain exempt, the new tariffs will still affect a sizeable share of goods heading to the US.

So what does this mean for businesses operating here? Can Singapore shield itself from the fallout? And as global trade becomes increasingly shaped by geopolitics, how should a small, open economy navigate the road ahead?

On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Dr Jayant Menon, Senior Fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore, to find out more.

Singapore has been given a new 12.5 per cent US tariff over allegations linked to forced labour enforcement &mdash; a move that raises fresh questions for one of America's closest trading partners in Asia.
Although some of Singapore's biggest exports remain exempt, the new tariffs will still affect a sizeable share of goods heading to the US. So what does this mean for businesses operating here? Can Singapore shield itself from the fallout? And as global trade becomes increasingly shaped by geopolitics, how should a small, open economy navigate the road ahead?
On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Dr Jayant Menon, Senior Fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore,&nbsp;to find out more.

The Big Story: A new 12.5% US tariff hits Singapore... Should we be worried?

On What's Trending, Hongbin Jeong, Nadiah Koh and Nazirul Asrar dive into the latest trend which sees more young people attempting their hand at being 'solopreneurs'.

With the help of agentic AI, more countries are supporting and encouraging young people to start their own 1-man companies. From full autonomy to greater work-life balance, the life of a solo entrepreneur promises a stable income. But as with everything in life, there are downsides as well. So the trio discusses what's driving the rise of 'solopreneurship' and whether Singaporeans would jump on this bandwagon too.

On What's Trending, Hongbin Jeong, Nadiah Koh and Nazirul Asrar dive into the latest trend which sees more young people attempting their hand at being 'solopreneurs'.
With the help of agentic AI, more countries are supporting and encouraging young people to start their own 1-man companies. From full autonomy to greater work-life balance, the life of a solo entrepreneur promises a stable income. But as with everything in life, there are downsides as well. So the trio discusses what's driving the rise of 'solopreneurship' and whether Singaporeans would jump on this bandwagon too.

The Big Story: Medical cost inflation to hit record high - Will healthcare become less affordable in Singapore?

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