Han Kuo-Yu, the President of the Legislative Yuan, held a caucus meeting on the 5th to discuss the NHI point-value for the reimbursement of healthcare services. The providers hope to raise the point-value to NT$1; however, this requires an amendment of the NHI Act. As no consensus was reached in the meeting, the negotiation continues. The MOHW stressed that the authority is in the process of introducing various measures to sustain the NHI and to improve the reimbursement point-value. Dr Chiu Tai-Yuan, the MOHW Minister, hopes the stakeholders will allow the MOHW one year to implement various improvement measures before resorting to a law amendment.

Dr Chiu expressed that raising the point-value to NT$1 is highly anticipated by many. The public would also like to see their doctors receive appropriate rewards and resources. As the NHI abides by the global budget system, raising the point-value will increase the insured’s financial burden. Therefore, the MOHW intends to raise the point-value through the reform of the system or via the government’s general budget. These approaches may not be able to immediately raise the point-value to NT$1, but Dr Chiu ensures an upward trend for the point-value.

The KMT proposed to fix a floor value at NT$0.95. KMT Legislator Su Ching-Chuan further suggested to legalize a guaranteed point-value at NT$1 through a subsidy from the government’s general budget. The President of the Legislative Yuan hence held a caucus meeting on the 5th to discuss these proposals.

Dr Chiu expressed his gratitude to the stakeholders for their commitment to the sustainability of the NHI and the enhancement of the healthcare environment. President Lai, leveraging his medical background, has made health policies a top priority. Upon taking office, President Lai promptly invited Dr Chen Chi-Hong to convene six national health forums, resulting in the formulation of ten major strategies for promoting health in Taiwan. One key strategy focuses on NHI reform, aiming to provide better compensation for healthcare professionals and to improve the overall quality of healthcare.

Dr Chiu highlighted that since the new government took office, the MOHW has been revising NHI implementation regulations to remove items that should have been funded by the general budget. This effort has resulted in savings of NT$30 billion, which will be used to boost the NHI global budget and increase the point-value.

Dr Chiu expressed that the MOHW will continue to strengthen the graded healthcare system and the family doctor system, improve reimbursement standards, enhance care for people in rural areas, and effectively control the waste of resources. He also mentioned that a reasonable adjustment to supplementary premiums will be considered.

These measures are strongly supported by the government. Dr Chiu hopes the Legislative Yuan will give the MOHW a year to improve the system and complete all necessary corresponding measures before discussing whether a law amendment is necessary.

【2024-07-06 / FTV News】