by the Malaysian Medical Association
Aliran Monthly Vol 25 (2005): Issue 4
The broad objectives of establishing a national system for financing health care will include the provision of universal coverage and equitable access to both the public and private health care sectors, as well as having control of the total health care budget.
Each sector will have an important role to play:
- The government has a social responsibility to provide universal, accessible and comprehensive health care for all, including for chronic and catastrophic illness.
- Consumers, who are in a position to do so, must contribute to a health financing scheme and ensure that the health system is not abused and that health care is used responsibly.
- The medical profession, who are the providers, must practise appropriate medicine and work in the best interests of its patients, while exercising clinical autonomy.
- Other providers (hospitals, diagnostic services, pharmacies and other health services) share the same responsibility as doctors.
The fundamental principle of equity in health financing is based on national solidarity, social responsibility and a belief that the issues of health care are a shared responsibility of all citizens, that the healthy and the affluent have a duty to subsidise the cost of health care for the sick poor, and collectively share the economic burden of health care, each according to his or her ability to do so.
In accordance with that principle, the MMA is in favour of the following:
- The establishment of a National Health Financing Authority as a single-payer for the health care of all citizens and eligible non-citizens.
- The National Health Financing Authority should provide funding separately for the Primary Care Authority and Hospital Care Authority.
- The National Health Financing Authority should be funded by a combination of allocations from general taxation and compulsory contributions from employers, the self-employed and employees, based on payroll and income.
- Each individual contributor eligible for health care should be identified by a `national health care number� through a life-long `smart card system�.
- The National Health Financing Authority could be incorporated into a restructured Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) or some such body, secured by statutory legislation and publicly administered. It is crucial that the Authority, which would be the core of a successful health care system, must be government-run and never be privatised.
- Industries or companies involved in importing, manufacturing or marketing tobacco products, alcohol or any other product, known to be a health hazard, should make a special contribution (sin tax) to the National Health Financing Authority.
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Source: Health for All, MMA, 1999 |
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The government has a social responsibility to provide universal, accessible and comprehensive health care for all, including for chronic and catastrophic illness.
