{
  "id": 13122284,
  "title": "Guardian: Tax relief to ease family healthcare costs",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/guardian-tax-relief-to-ease-family-healthcare-costs",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-10-09T13:18:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/business/corporate/2026/10/1551936/guardian-tax-relief-ease-family-healthcare-costs"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Malaysia's 2027 Budget includes increased healthcare tax relief to reduce medical expenses for families, making essential healthcare more affordable. The measures include a higher individual tax relief from RM9,000 to RM12,000. Guardian Malaysia's managing director, Priscilla Wu, highlighted that healthcare affordability is a crucial aspect of the cost-of-living crisis, alongside tax cuts that could return up to RM1,600 to household budgets. Wu noted that financial strain may lead families to postpone smaller healthcare needs to focus on immediate living expenses. She emphasized that for many Malaysian families, healthcare expenditures start at home with everyday essentials, self-care, and illness prevention. Wu welcomed the expansion of tax relief to include post-natal care services and total parental care expenses, stating that these measures would make investing in family health more affordable. As a trusted advisor for wellness across Malaysia, Guardian believes that everyday healthcare should be accessible and affordable, complementing the government's efforts to build a sustainable healthcare system.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: Guardian Malaysia says the 2027 Budget's higher healthcare tax relief will help ease medical costs for households and make essential healthcare more affordable.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Tax relief could ease M40 burden, says consumer group",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/tax-relief-could-ease-m40-burden-says-consumer-group",
        "published": "2026-10-09T10:56:35.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}