Health PSSC to cross-check insurers' claims of suffering losses

The Parliament Special Select Committee (PSSC) on health has pledged to "cross-check" claims by insurance companies alleging that they have suffered losses for the past few years.

The committee's chairperson Suhaizan Kaiat was responding to a question posed by the media over contradictory elements of claims that these companies have been bearing the brunt of medical inflation while the industry's financial performance has shown positive growth.

"I think we need to cross-check this information with several companies to verify it because the information presented to us shows a rather serious loss.

"However, I feel we need more information. If this situation occurs every year, it's definitely bad, and I think it could negatively impact the industry.

“In my opinion, we need more data to evaluate this matter," he said in a press conference at Parliament today.

For insurance companies that are performing well, the Pulai MP said that the government is working together through the “Friends of MOH” initiative to have these companies have an active role in supporting the national health transformation plan.

Insurance companies' financial health came under scrutiny after reports that medical insurance premiums could rise by 40 to 70 percent next year.

On Monday, several PKR lawmakers urged the Health Ministry to form a task force to investigate the rising premiums and find mutually beneficial solutions involving private hospitals, insurers, and the public.

Among them was Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin, who also called for Bank Negara’s intervention. Sim has encouraged the public to share their feedback by emailing this address.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said yesterday that the central bank and health ministry were still engaging with insurers to keep the hikes reasonable.

Anwar said the Health Ministry is also studying ways to lower medication and service costs, which insurers have cited as reasons for the increase.

Frozen baby incident

In another matter, several opposition parliamentarians believe the incident of a hospital holding a baby's corpse in a freezer for two weeks because the parents failed to settle the bill should not have happened.

Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal urged the Health Ministry to investigate and ensure it does not recur.

"This should not happen in a resource-rich country. How could the hospital allow this to happen to a baby?

"We demand that the government and the Health Ministry investigate what happened and if there is any wrongdoing, the hospital management or any party responsible should be subjected to disciplinary and legal action," he said during a press conference at the Dewan Rakyat today.

Earlier today, the Selangor government also condemned the act. Women's Development and Family exco member Anfaal Saari said she would contact the relevant parties to obtain further information regarding the case.

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