Health protection scheme for B40 group to cover 36 critical illnesses

GEORGE TOWN, Nov 24 (Bernama) -- The government will expand the healthcare coverage under the national health protection fund for the B40 low-income group, to cover 36 major critical illnesses, said Finance MInister Lim Guan Eng.

He said the scheme to be implemented from Jan 1 next year, would provide protection for the B40 group should they fall sick or get admitted into a government hospital.

In Budget 2019 it was announced that the scheme would only cover four major critical illnesses but it has now been extended to cover 36 major critical illnesses, he said.

"If they (B40) get admitted into a government hospital ward but cannot afford to pay, they may submit an application to cover payment for a maximum of 14 days at RM50 per day or RM700 a year," he told reporters here today.

He said the scheme would be managed by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and applications could be made online adding that BNM was now preparing the website.

Meanwhile, Lim said the government would also raise the floor price of rubber to RM2.50 from RM2.20 to assist tappers in facing the decline of international commodity prices.

He added that padi subsidy would also be raised to RM360 from RM300 per tonne.

In another development the Bagan MP warned MCA leaders not to use education as a political issue. 

He said MCA's recommendation to raise tuition fees at Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (TAR UC) due to lack of funds from the government was not a wise move.

"Their decision of punishing the students by raising the tuition fees will only worsen the situation," he said.

On Nov 12, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong reportedly said that MCA would probably raise the tuition fees at TAR UC following cut in allocation as announced in the recent budget.

Earlier during a visit to Sekolah Kebangsaan Bagan Jermal in Butterworth today, LIm said the government had approved an additional allocation for infrastructure upgrades at the school.

He said in addition to RM30,000 which had been allocated for the repair of roofs and pre-school facilities, another RM30,000 had been approved for toilet repairs and restore of other facilities in the dilapidated school. 

-- BERNAMA