Commenting on what is to be expected for Budget 2024, SMU Professor of Sociology (Practice) and Director of Centre for Research on Successful Ageing (ROSA) Paulin Straughan said increased healthcare spending will be needed for managing chronic ailments and disabilities as well as preventive health programmes. Singapore must “take into consideration higher household expenditure” on these two aspects, she said, as well as eldercare costs and health insurance beyond MediShield – especially as older workers retire and are no longer covered by employee medical benefits.