A little goes a long way in keeping healthcare costs low

YOU should not think twice about going to the doctor because of the hefty bill.

However, in Malaysia, more and more people are doing just that.

It’s no longer uncommon to hear families having to choose between their health and food on the table – there have been reports of people cutting back on their groceries just to afford medication.­­

Some elderly patients, meanwhile, are skipping their follow-­up appointments because the medical fees are too costly, even with insurance.

For starters, medical inflation in Malaysia has been climbing faster than global averages.

Advanced medical equipment and imported drugs are driving up the cost.

Private hospitals, where many turn to avoid the long queues in public facilities, are often charging significantly different rates for the same procedures.

Insurance companies are also raising premiums, with some by as much as 70%, to keep up with rising claims; it has become a vicious cycle for the common folk.

But there are steps we can take to navigate this.

We don’t need idealistic overhauls but rather simple, practical and doable steps to make healthcare more affordable without compromising quality.

Currently, doctors’ fees are regulated but hospital-related costs, including room charges, medications and diagnostics, are not.

That’s a problem. We need a pricing framework to bring some order to how private hospitals bill their patients.

A system like Diagnosis-Related Groups, where procedures are grouped under standard pricing, can be a measure to stop overcharging and hidden costs.

Subsequently, let’s promote the use of generic medication. We do not necessarily need branded drugs when cheaper, equally effective substitutes are available.

The government must step up its efforts to educate the public, incentivise pharmacies and ensure that generics are stocked in the public and private sectors.

Third, and most importantly, we need to relook our public health funding.

Malaysia spends less than 4% of its GDP on public healthcare compared with many other developed countries.

If we can increase that figure closer to 5%, this can strengthen our hospitals, reduce wait times and provide better subsidised care, which can lessen the load on the private system.

Insurance, too, needs a shake-up. Most private plans are unaffordable for middle or lower income groups.

Insurers, with guidance from Bank Negara, should be encouraged to create basic, no-frills medical plans that are accessible and come without hidden traps, such as co-payments or inflated renewal premiums.

We should also consider preventive care as a frontline strategy to navigate this escalating cost.

Too much of our system is built around treating people after they get sick.

But what if we put more resources into keeping people healthy in the first place?

Nutrition programmes, regular health screenings and efforts to help people quit smoking are not just feel-good public health ideas or campaigns. They can be financially savvy investments that not only save lives but also save money in the long run.

Finally, oversight matters. Hospitals and insurers alike must be held accountable.

Transparent billing, audited pricing and a clear channel for patients to lodge complaints are the small steps that can have a big impact.

This isn’t a problem we can ignore. It affects both young and old, as well as the insured and the uninsured, the rich and the poor.

We have the tools to fix this issue. What we need now is the political will to act and the public voice to demand it.

Healthcare shouldn’t be a test of your wallet. It must be a reflection of who we are as a society: one that takes care of its own.