Latest news with #JMCPHC
Malaysian Reserve
08-08-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Budget 2026 to reinforce reform agenda in healthcare, education and labour market
KUALA LUMPUR — Budget 2026 will address key findings by the Joint Ministerial Committee on Private Healthcare Costs (JMCPHC), with a focus on tackling the issue of rising healthcare costs. The Ministry of Finance (MOF), in its Pre-Budget 2026 statement, said that the healthcare reform initiative aims to strengthen health security by ensuring access to affordable, equitable, and high-quality care. 'Key focus areas include enhancing protection for vulnerable groups, expanding access to affordable medicines, strengthening the primary care system in rural areas, digitalising healthcare services through telemedicine and electronic records, and preparing the system for future crises and an ageing population,' it said. Additionally, Budget 2026 will support the implementation of the education reform agenda under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), with a clear objective of developing talent equipped to meet the needs of Malaysia's high-growth, high-value (HGHV) sectors. According to the ministry, the government is committed to improving educational outcomes across all segments of society, regardless of socio-economic background, while also strengthening students' foundational learning. It added that the government will continue efforts to strengthen foundational education support to bridge the achievement gap, particularly for vulnerable and underserved communities. Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), and lifelong learning will also be strengthened, in line with the national workforce strategy and the demands of future high-growth sectors. The MOF also said that labour market reforms will focus on enhancing workforce marketability and expanding access to higher-income opportunities. In addition to implementing the minimum wage, these efforts aim to promote sustainable wage growth, to improve living standards and strengthen household resilience in the long term. This includes collaboration with industry to support career development, skills upgrading initiatives, and job structure reforms to foster balanced economic growth. 'The government remains committed to adapting its policies and strategies in response to the evolving dynamics of the current labour market,' said the ministry. — BERNAMA
Malay Mail
08-08-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
MOF: Budget 2026 to address healthcare affordability, strengthen education and labour market
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 9 — Budget 2026 will address key findings by the Joint Ministerial Committee on Private Healthcare Costs (JMCPHC), with a focus on tackling the issue of rising healthcare costs. The Ministry of Finance (MOF), in its Pre-Budget 2026 statement, said that the healthcare reform initiative aims to strengthen health security by ensuring access to affordable, equitable, and high-quality care. 'Key focus areas include enhancing protection for vulnerable groups, expanding access to affordable medicines, strengthening the primary care system in rural areas, digitalising healthcare services through telemedicine and electronic records, and preparing the system for future crises and an ageing population,' it said. Additionally, Budget 2026 will support the implementation of the education reform agenda under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), with a clear objective of developing talent equipped to meet the needs of Malaysia's high-growth, high-value (HGHV) sectors. According to the ministry, the government is committed to improving educational outcomes across all segments of society, regardless of socio-economic background, while also strengthening students' foundational learning. It added that the government will continue efforts to strengthen foundational education support to bridge the achievement gap, particularly for vulnerable and underserved communities. Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), and lifelong learning will also be strengthened, in line with the national workforce strategy and the demands of future high-growth sectors. The MOF also said that labour market reforms will focus on enhancing workforce marketability and expanding access to higher-income opportunities. In addition to implementing the minimum wage, these efforts aim to promote sustainable wage growth, to improve living standards and strengthen household resilience in the long term. This includes collaboration with industry to support career development, skills upgrading initiatives, and job structure reforms to foster balanced economic growth. 'The government remains committed to adapting its policies and strategies in response to the evolving dynamics of the current labour market,' said the ministry. — Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
24-06-2025
- Health
- Free Malaysia Today
Joint ministerial committee to tackle rising healthcare costs
Finance minister II Amir Hamzah Azizan (left) and health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad attending the first meeting of the joint ministerial committee on private healthcare costs. (KKM pic) PETALING JAYA : The finance and health ministries have officially established the joint ministerial committee on private healthcare costs (JMCPHC) in a move aimed at ensuring affordable private healthcare in Malaysia. The committee, which held its first meeting today, aims to coordinate a whole-of-nation approach in managing medical inflation and improving transparency and sustainability within the private healthcare sector, said the ministries in a statement. Co-chaired by finance minister II Amir Hamzah Azizan and health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad, the JMCPHC includes representatives from both ministries and Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM). The committee will be supported by a consultative council which brings together private hospitals, healthcare professionals, insurance and takaful providers, consumer advocacy groups, and academics to provide expert input and technical advice to guide the committee's initiatives. 'This joint committee reflects our commitment to building a private healthcare system that is sustainable, transparent, and delivers real value for the rakyat,' said Amir. Dzulkefly said the committee aims to reduce overcrowding in public hospitals and improve access to private healthcare by embracing value-based care and expanding cost-effective options. The committee will also look to improve existing programmes such as Rakan KKM, which offers 'premium economy' services at selected public hospitals for elective outpatient, daycare and inpatient services. The JMCPHC builds upon previous groundwork, including BNM's implementation of co-pay requirements, interim measures to cushion the impact of medical premium adjustments for policyholders affected in 2024-2026, and the RESET framework. The RESET framework covers five strategic thrusts to address medical inflation – revamp medical and health insurance/takaful (MHIT), enhance price transparency, strengthen the digital health ecosystem, expand cost effective options, and transform provider payments. One of the committee's immediate priorities includes the development of a base MHIT product to ensure affordability and sustainability.
Sinar Daily
24-06-2025
- Business
- Sinar Daily
Finance Ministry, Health Ministry form joint committee to tackle rising private healthcare costs
PUTRAJAYA - The Finance Ministry (MOF) and the Health Ministry (MOH) have formalised the setting up of the Joint Ministerial Committee on Private Healthcare Costs (JMCPHC), building on ongoing engagements among various stakeholders, to address rising private healthcare and medical inflation. The committee, which convened its first meeting today, will coordinate a whole-of-nation approach to collaboratively develop and implement measures aligned with value-based healthcare. The JMCPHC is co-chaired by Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan and Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, with committee members consisting of representatives from MOF, MOH, and Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM). The committee will be supported with inputs and technical advice by a Consultative Council, comprising representatives from key stakeholders across the private healthcare ecosystem, including private hospitals, insurance providers and Takaful operators (ITOs). "Rising healthcare costs are a major concern for Malaysians, and the Madani Government is taking the lead to address it. This joint committee reflects our commitment to work with all stakeholders to shape a private healthcare system that is sustainable, transparent, and delivers real value. "At its core, this is about protecting the wellbeing of Malaysians and strengthening the resilience of our nation," Amir Hamzah said in a joint statement by the two ministries today. He said the JMCPHC builds upon previous groundwork, including BNM's implementation of co-pay requirements, interim measures to cushion the impact of medical premium adjustments for policyholders affected in 2024-2026, and the RESET framework. It covers five strategic thrusts to address medical inflation, namely: Revamp Medical and Health Insurance/Takaful (MHIT); Enhance price transparency; Strengthen the Digital Health ecosystem; Expand cost-effective options; and Transform provider payments. RESET is broadly endorsed and supported by MOF, MOH, BNM, and key industry stakeholders as the strategic framework to address rising private healthcare and insurance costs. Moving forward, the committee will be the primary platform to guide and monitor the implementation of the initiatives under RESET. Work on the crucial RESET initiatives has commenced, particularly on the development of a base MHIT product that balances affordability and sustainability, the development of Diagnostic-Related Group (DRG) payments for phased implementation, and improving the transparency of pricing information. For current medical insurance policyholders, these measures are intended to improve price transparency while offering more affordable options. Over the tenure of this committee, measures to expand affordable private healthcare access will be pursued, including by strengthening the role of primary healthcare and a continuum of healthcare providers, building upon measures which have been announced previously, such as the Rakan KKM initiative. Dzulkefly said the jointly developed RESET framework includes ongoing and planned efforts by the MOH to strengthen Malaysia's healthcare system for all. "The framework also signifies our 'whole-of-nation' commitment to implementing solutions like value-based care, which prioritises health outcomes through the phased implementation of Diagnostic-Related Groups (DRG) and the expansion of cost-effective healthcare options for the rakyat. "Such initiatives will deliver tangible benefits for all Malaysians who benefit through reduced overcrowding and congestion of public hospitals and clinics," he said. The JMCPHC recognises that the successful implementation of the whole-of-nation RESET initiatives critically relies on multi-stakeholder collaboration. "The Consultative Council is therefore essential, reinforcing the Madani Government's commitment to provide a dedicated platform for key industry stakeholders to work together collaboratively and contribute expertise towards the shared objective of ensuring affordable and accessible private healthcare for all Malaysians while fostering sustainable sector growth," the joint statement said. - BERNAMA
Barnama
24-06-2025
- Business
- Barnama
MOF, MOH Form Joint Committee To Tackle Rising Private Healthcare Costs
PUTRAJAYA, June 24 (Bernama) — The Ministry of Finance (MOF) and the Ministry of Health (MOH) have formalised the setting up of the Joint Ministerial Committee on Private Healthcare Costs (JMCPHC), building on ongoing engagements among various stakeholders, to address rising private healthcare and medical inflation. The committee, which convened its first meeting today, will coordinate a whole-of-nation approach to collaboratively develop and implement measures aligned with value-based healthcare. The JMCPHC is co-chaired by Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan and Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, with committee members consisting of representatives from MOF, MOH, and Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM). The committee will be supported with inputs and technical advice by a Consultative Council, comprising representatives from key stakeholders across the private healthcare ecosystem, including private hospitals, insurance providers and Takaful operators (ITOs). 'Rising healthcare costs are a major concern for Malaysians, and the MADANI Government is taking the lead to address it. This joint committee reflects our commitment to work with all stakeholders to shape a private healthcare system that is sustainable, transparent, and delivers real value. 'At its core, this is about protecting the wellbeing of Malaysians and strengthening the resilience of our nation,' Amir Hamzah said in a joint statement by the two ministries today. He said the JMCPHC builds upon previous groundwork, including BNM's implementation of co-pay requirements, interim measures to cushion the impact of medical premium adjustments for policyholders affected in 2024–2026, and the RESET framework. It covers five strategic thrusts to address medical inflation, namely: Revamp Medical and Health Insurance/Takaful (MHIT); Enhance price transparency; Strengthen the Digital Health ecosystem; Expand cost-effective options; and Transform provider payments. RESET is broadly endorsed and supported by MOF, MOH, BNM, and key industry stakeholders as the strategic framework to address rising private healthcare and insurance costs.
