Kuala Lumpur: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will hold a public hearing on rising health insurance/takaful premiums, private hospital charges, and their impact on public healthcare. PAC chairperson Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin stated that the insights gathered during the session will be used to compile the PAC report, which will subsequently be presented in Parliament.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mas Ermieyati mentioned that the committee appreciates the interim measure by the government and Bank Negara Malaysia to limit insurance premium increases. However, she stressed the importance of establishing a long-term solution. “The PAC aims to assist the government in formulating the Private Healthcare Reform through comprehensive proceedings involving all stakeholders, including getting inputs from the public,” she added.

The public hearings are scheduled to be held at AC Marriott Hotel, Bukit Jambul, Penang, on February 14, from 9 am to 12 pm, and at the Banquet Hall, Main Block of the Malaysian Parliament, on February 21, from 9 am to 12 pm. These sessions will be moderated by PAC member and Bayan Baru Member of Parliament, Sim Tze Tzin.

Since registration began last Friday, 243 respondents have signed up-71 in Penang and 172 in Kuala Lumpur. This group includes the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations, the Malaysian Association of Pharmaceutical Suppliers, the Malaysian Pharmacists Society, the National Cancer Society of Malaysia, the National Kidney Foundation, and the Malaysian Medical Association.