The NHI Board meeting on next year’s NHI premium fees ended abruptly without any conclusions. In the meeting held on the 20th, the consumer representatives suggested that the NHIA should reduce the safety reserve fund to the level of one-month of expenses instead of two months, considering the economic impact from the pandemic. They also suggested increasing the government’s contribution to 36%. The discussion will be resumed on the 27th.
The meeting on the 20th only last 3 hours as the hospital representatives left the meeting early. Chou Shu-Wan, the Executive Secretary of the NHI Board, expressed that the Chair of the NHI Board agreed that the calculation of the safety reserve fund could be reviewed. In order to properly assess every feasible option, the NHI Board decided to postpone the meeting for a week.
Lee Po-Chang, the Director General of the NHIA, explained that the 2-month criterion for the safety reserve fund is a consensus reached by the NHI Board; and the NHIA is just following the instruction. However, the NHIA has already worked out two models for the safety reserve fund based on the 1-month and 1.5-month criteria. The NHIA will provide the members with the detailed analysis and evaluation within a week, along with other corresponding measures.
Teng Xi-Hua, a representative of impartial persons, expressed that lowering the reserve fund to the 1-month expense level will significantly reduce the impact of a premium hike. Dr. Yang Chi-Liang, a former MOHW Minister, said that this year is not a good year to effect a premium hike due to the impact of the pandemic on the economics.
The representatives of fee payers proposed a motion urging the government to make up the contribution to the statutory ratio of 36%. The Executive Yuan said that no comments will be made before receiving the NHI Board’s formal submission of the proposal. As for the government’s contribution, the Executive Yuan already has various plans at hand. Premier Su said in the Legislative Yuan on the 19th that the NHI premium will be adjusted by taking account of the public’s livelihood, the situations of the pandemic and the sustainability of the NHI system.
【2020-11-16/ United Daily】
