GEORGE TOWN: A full house turned up at the public hearing on the rise of health insurance premiums and hospital charges and their impact on public healthcare at AC Hotel in Bukit Jambul on Friday (Feb 14).
The three-hour session organised by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) saw some 100 people come together to voice their concerns about the costs.
Many who brought along their hospital bills shared their experiences of experiencing exorbitant medical charges, alleging foul practices in the private healthcare system.
A few came with proposals for solutions which were taken into record.
Among those who were vocal were insurance agents, representatives of organisations, civil servants who had served in the healthcare industry, as well as medical practitioners themselves.
This included former Batu Uban assemblyman Dr T. Jeyabalan.
PAC chairman Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin, who was present, had earlier said PAC aims to assist the government in drafting Private Healthcare Reforms through comprehensive proceedings with stakeholders, including obtaining public views and feedback.
The session was moderated by Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin, who is a PAC member.
This is the first time PAC is conducting a public hearing on any subject matter it is examining.
Following the public hearing, the PAC will continue proceedings in Parliament and summon witnesses from the relevant ministries and agencies.
The next PAC public hearing session on the same subject will be held at the Parliament complex on Feb 21.
Inputs from the public hearing will be included in the report to be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat.
The issue of price surges in private hospitals and insurance premiums, and their impact on public healthcare infrastructure, are among the committee's main agenda for 2025.
