Dr. Wu Ming-shiang, President of the Formosan Medical Association and Superintendent of National Taiwan University Hospital, said that since the establishment of the National Health Insurance (NHI), the system has relied on a limited global budget as well as low healthcare spending as a percentage of GDP. With the growing demands of a rapidly aging population, the NHI may no longer maintain the same standard of healthcare provision as reflected by the diminishing value of medical points, which has dipped as low as NT$0.7 to NT$0.8 per point. In the event of a new pandemic, it is uncertain whether the NHI will have the flexibility and resilience to effectively respond to the challenge. Additionally, continued underinvestment in healthcare have also posed challenges to expand the reimbursement of new drugs and medical technologies.

Dr. Wu said that he assesses the strength of a medical system based on three criteria comprising accessibility, affordability, and efficacy. While Taiwan excels in the accessibility and affordability of healthcare services, recent statistics indicate dwindling performance in efficacy, as reflected in the mortality rates for cancer and cardiovascular diseases, as well as the declining average life expectancy.

Dr. Wu also highlighted that Taiwan’s chaotic market for out-of-pocket treatment options poses another significant concern for Taiwan’s healthcare environment. As the NHI policies only regulate healthcare services within the NHI system, the out-of-pocket market is left to run wild unchecked, resulting in unnecessary medical intervention and wastage of medical resources.

[2023-11-8/United Daily News]