KUALA LUMPUR: Bank Negara Malaysia and the Health Ministry will control rising insurance premiums, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
"We understand there are some hikes in insurance premiums, but reasonable reasons were given for it. However, there must be control," Anwar told the Dewan Rakyat during Prime Minister’s Question Time on Tuesday (Dec 10).
"Based on the latest information from BNM and the Ministry of Health, they will decide on a control mechanism so that the hike is not too drastic. This is to avoid burdening patients and leading to rising inflation," added Anwar.
He added that as the government cares, Bank Negara, the Treasury and Health Ministry are looking into the matter.
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"They will come up with a strict guideline so that medical and health insurance or takaful operators take certain issues into consideration,"said Anwar.
He was responding to a question by Suhaizan Kaiat (PN-Pulai) on the measures taken by the government to control the 40-70% hike in insurance premiums and medical inflation.
Sim Tze Tzin (PH-Bayan Baru) suggested that a temporary moratorium be imposed on the insurance premiums hike to allow Bank Negara and the Health Ministry to study the situation.
“I have received complaints from the public. A cancer patient said he had diligently paid premiums for decades.
"But after retiring and not having an income, the policy suddenly rose by 70-80%.
"The patient had to give it up and fund the cancer (treatment) on his own. With protection no longer available, the person has to go to a government hospital,” said Sim.
He then asked how those who had to give up their insurance policies, especially retirees, can be helped.
To this Anwar, said what the government is doing is not a moratorium but an interim measure.
“If we say cancer patients (treatment cost) has risen by 70-80%, then it is no longer reasonable,” Anwar said adding that briefings are being held on the matter.
He said amendment to laws and the introduction of Diagnosis-Related Groups (DRGs) model could help control the situation.
“If the cost is too high, then the patient has to be referred to government hospitals. But the government, Bank Negara and Health Ministry do not agree to a drastic rise in cost,” he said.
