KUALA LUMPUR: The Parliamentary Special Select Committee on Health has six recommendations for the government to tackle the increasing prices of insurance and takaful premiums in the country.
Committee chairman Suhaizan Kaiat said this included suggestions to introduce co-payment options, a mechanism to control prices of health services and expedite the implementation of diagnosis-related groups (DRG).
He said the committee also urged the government to intensify efforts to establish strategic partnerships through the "Rakan KKM" initiative, accelerate efforts to establish a National Health Fund, and plan for a phased implementation of healthcare services price increase.
These recommendations, he said, were made following an engagement session held yesterday with five key stakeholders, namely the Health Ministry, Bank Negara Malaysia, Life Insurance Association of Malaysia, Malaysian Takaful Association and the General Insurance Association of Malaysia.
"The government should review existing policies by introducing approaches such as co-payment options.
"Through this model, treatment costs can be shared between insurer and takaful operators (ITO) and policyholders or takaful participants.
"This approach is expected to reduce financial pressure and ensure the continuity of healthcare services, and provides policyholders and takaful participants with the option to determine the level of service that matches their financial capacity," he said in a press conference in Parliament today.
Suhaizan, who is Pulai member of parliament, then explained that a more comprehensive mechanism to control healthcare services prices would ensure a more transparent and fair pricing structure.
He added that the regulatory measures would also include continuous monitoring of medicine, treatment and medical procedures costs.
He said the DRG would classify patient treatments based on diagnoses and procedures provided, which would allow for efficient financial management and payments.
"DRG will act as a catalyst for improving the efficiency of the national healthcare system and increase transparency in the management of healthcare funds."
Meanwhile, Suhaizan said the National Health Fund would provide a sustainable financial resource to meet the people's medical needs and to offset the increasing costs of treatment.
This fund, he added, would help reduce the financial burden on households, particularly among vulnerable groups.
"The government must also plan for the phased increase in healthcare prices to meet the growing complexity of healthcare needs.
"This includes increasing hospital capacity, increasing healthcare manpower, and providing more modern medical infrastructure and technology.
"These efforts not only aim to improve the effectiveness of healthcare services but also make them more inclusive, user-friendly, and sustainable," he said.