KUALA LUMPUR: The new insurance "base plan" under the Reset strategy is meant to widen access and complement the universal coverage provided by the government, says Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan.
"As the government, we are deeply concerned. If this trend continues unchecked, fewer individuals can afford protection than they do today.
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"We cannot accept a scenario where this choice slips out of reach, becoming a luxury reserved only for the few," he said during a joint-press conference with the Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad here on Thursday (Jan 22).
Amir Hamzah said this is the core philosophy behind Reset.
"We cannot address inflation by looking at insurance in isolation, we must elevate the entire ecosystem.
"Our strategy focuses on the fundamental building blocks: establishing a
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sustainable baseline for coverage, empowering consumers with decision-making tools, catalysing investment by reducing barriers to entry, and
leveraging technology for a more efficient system," he said.
Among others, the Base MHIT plan is design to achieve several key objectives including to provide a base level of financial protection, offering an affordable option for individuals to help fund private healthcare and to complement the public system by giving the people more choices on where they want to get their treatment, he said
Spearheaded by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) in collaboration with the Health and Finance Ministries – and supported by the World Bank – the Reset strategy aims to slow rising medical costs and introduce a more sustainable funding model.
More to come
