KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) has called for the establishment of a special mechanism to regulate private hospital treatment costs, which have become a burden, particularly for the B40 and M40 groups.
Its vice president Datuk T. Murugiah said the mechanism should involve collaboration between the Ministry of Health (MOH), Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), and the Malaysian Insurance Association to ensure more standardised and affordable treatment costs for various medical conditions.
"Without a clear mechanism, the uncertainty of treatment charges in private hospitals will continue to burden the people. This situation also causes health insurance premiums to increase by up to 70 per cent, making access to healthcare more difficult," he said in a statement.
Murugiah said the proposed mechanism should address several crucial aspects, including the regulation of treatment costs in private hospitals. He stressed that healthcare fees should be carefully monitored to prevent private hospitals from imposing excessive charges, which would further burden patients.
He also advocated for broader access to affordable healthcare, particularly for the B40 and M40 groups, to ensure they can receive quality care without financial strain.
According to Murugiah, by controlling treatment costs, insurance companies would be able to maintain premiums at more manageable levels, thus reducing financial pressure on policyholders.
"This step will not only promote fairness for the public but also contribute to a more sustainable and equitable healthcare system," he added. – BERNAMA