KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 7 — Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will hold two public hearings in Penang and Kuala Lumpur this month on rising private hospital fees and insurance premiums and their impact on public health care.
In a statement today, the PAC acknowledged growing public complaints about uncontrolled price hikes in private hospitals and insurance premiums. While welcoming the government’s interim measure – led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Bank Negara Malaysia – to cap premium increases, it stressed the need for long-term solutions.
To support private health care reforms, the PAC aims to conduct a comprehensive inquiry involving all stakeholders and public input.
For the first time, it will hold an open public hearing on health insurance and takaful premium hikes, private hospital charges, and their effects on public health care, under the purview of the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Health, and Bank Negara Malaysia.
The PAC emphasised that public views will be heard openly and included in its report before being tabled in Parliament. After these public hearings, the committee will proceed with closed-door proceedings under Dewan Rakyat Standing Order 85, summoning key stakeholders from ministries, agencies, and industry players.
“The PAC invites everyone including (and not limited to) complainants against insurance companies and private hospitals, insurance policyholders, consumer association representatives, insurance agents, private hospital management, medical specialists, hospital staff, pharmaceutical firms, NGOs, academics, and health care experts,” it said.
Both public hearings will be moderated by PAC member and Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin, who previously launched a public channel for complaints on health care costs.
Sim’s channel has received about 300 complaints, highlighting steep premium hikes that disproportionately affect retirees and individuals with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like cancer. Other concerns include price disparities between insured and uninsured patients, as well as excessive private hospital charges.
Public hearing details:
Session 1 – Penang:
- Date: February 14, 2025 (Friday)
- Time: 9.00am – 12.00pm
- Venue: AC Marriott Hotel, Bukit Jambul, Penang
Session 2 – Kuala Lumpur:
- Date: February 21, 2025 (Friday)
- Time: 9.00am – 12.00pm
- Venue: Banquet Hall, Main Block, Malaysian Parliament
