KUALA LUMPUR: The fee structure at the Health Ministry’s public healthcare facilities will be reviewed, the Health White Paper says.
The 57-page policy paper, which was issued in the Dewan Rakyat, said the review of the fees will be made in accordance with the patient’s budget.
This will ensure that health services are affordable for low-income households.
“The low fee rate at public healthcare facilities is a well-cherished feature of the healthcare system, whereby the public are given access to the healthcare system at an affordable cost,” it said.
However, the paper noted that the fee structure, which is the same for all, has created a disparity of sorts, especially when it comes to high-income households.
“For the sustainability of healthcare expenditure, the fee imposed on public healthcare will be reviewed so that it is compatible with affordability.
“Nevertheless, the safety net for low-income households will be maintained,” it added.
A health benefits package will also be created.
This package will list healthcare and medicine services which will be accessible at an affordable rate.
The package is expected to cover aspects such as promotive and preventive medicine services from primary healthcare to hospitalisation.
The paper said the package will ensure that health and financial burdens are cross subsidised.
“The reforms strategy will contribute to less out-of-pocket expenditure and reduce detrimental health expenditure,” it added.
The health benefits package will be funded through a non-profit healthcare fund by the government.
“The fund might also include contributions from individuals and donors in the future,” it said.
There have been calls from healthcare groups for a review of the RM1 outpatient and RM5 specialist care fees at facilities operated by the Health Ministry.
In a written parliamentary reply on July 19, 2022, former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the fee is no longer sustainable.
He added the government’s healthcare expenditure had increased by 190% from RM12.6bil in 2006 to RM36.6bil in 2021.
