A JOINT task force should be set up to investigate if increasing medical insurance premiums is linked to the rising cost of private healthcare, says a group of PKR lawmakers.
Sim Sze Tzin (PH-Bayan Baru) said the Health Ministry and Bank Negara Malaysia should probe the matter, adding the task force should include experts from the medical, actuarial science and public health policy fields to investigate, study and find a resolution.
He also urged independent bodies such as the Public Accounts Committee to investigate the actual situation.
“We don’t want to point the finger at anyone or curb private healthcare sector profits.
“We only want a sustainable yet fruitful private healthcare ecosystem,” he told a press conference at the Parliament media centre.
Sim also highlighted larger profits generated by two private healthcare groups over the past few years, and questioned if it was due to the increase in medical insurance premiums.
He said the PKR MPs received 197 email complaints regarding exorbitant private hospital fees since the matter was raised several weeks ago.
Among them, Sim said, was about a couple who had to pay different rates for a cataract procedure at a private hospital.
He said the husband, who is not a policy holder, paid only RM3,000 per eye while his wife, who holds an insurance policy, was charged RM6,000.
When asked if the 197 complaints would be brought to the hearing of the Parliamentary Special Select Committee (PSSC) for Health today, Sim said they would do so if required.
“Backbenchers are also expected to receive a briefing by Bank Negara,” Sim said.
Other PKR MPs involved are Jimmy Puah (PH-Tebrau), Dr Taufiq Johari (PH-Sungai Petani), R. Yuneswaran (PH-Segamat), Chiew Choon Mun (PH-Miri). They also have the support of Senator Amir Ghazali.
On Monday, The Star reported that insurance players, Bank Negara and the Health Ministry will appear before the committee today on the issue of rising insurance premiums.
