KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) has proposed the creation of a specialized mechanism to regulate the costs of private hospital treatments, aiming to alleviate the financial burden faced by the B40 and M40 income groups.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, MIC Vice President Datuk T. Murugiah highlighted the need for collaboration among the Ministry of Health (MOH), Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), and the Malaysian Insurance Association to establish standardized and affordable treatment costs for various medical conditions. He emphasized that the absence of a clear regulatory mechanism continues to impose financial stress on individuals, leading to a rise in health insurance premiums by as much as 70 percent, thereby hindering access to necessary healthcare services.

Murugiah outlined that the proposed mechanism should focus on several essential components, particularly the regulation of treatment costs in private hospitals. He underscored the importance of monitoring healthcare fees to prevent t
he imposition of excessive charges by private hospitals, which exacerbates the financial strain on patients.

The initiative also seeks to expand access to affordable healthcare for the B40 and M40 groups, ensuring they can obtain quality medical care without enduring financial hardship. By controlling treatment costs, insurance companies would be in a position to maintain more manageable premium levels, thereby easing the financial burden on policyholders.

“This step will not only promote fairness for the public but also contribute to a more sustainable and equitable healthcare system,” Murugiah stated, advocating for a balanced approach to healthcare affordability and accessibility.