{
  "id": 13070798,
  "title": "MediAsas health plan to be launched in January",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/mediasas-health-plan-to-be-launched-in-january",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-10-09T08:43:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/10/1551568/mediasas-health-plan-be-launched-january"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "The Malaysian government announced plans to launch the MediAsas health plan in January 2027, aiming to provide affordable premiums and more predictable hospital charges. According to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, hospital costs under the plan will be based on the specific diagnosis and treatment required, enabling better cost control and anticipation for patients. Furthermore, EPF members under 55 will be able to use their Account Sejahtera savings to pay for MediAsas premiums. The government will also subsidize the first-year premium by RM200 per employee for small and medium enterprises with fewer than 75 employees, capped at 50 employees per company. Anwar claimed the initiative would benefit up to 200,000 workers.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}