With negotiations on the 2025 National Health Insurance (NHI) global budget set to begin September, the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) typically would have finalized its recommended low and high parameters for the NHI global budget growth rate in August for the National Health Insurance Committee's (NHIC) consideration. However, as of Aug. 28, the NHIC has yet to receive the MOHW's parameters, leaving them without the necessary information to prepare for upcoming negotiations.

Citing regulations, Liu Yu-chuan, MHOW’s Chief Secretary and chief of the MOHW's Department of Social Insurance, said that while progress on this year's global budget negotiation is slower compared to previous years, proceedings are still on time, given that it is still within the timeframe during the final quarter. She also attributed the slower progress this year to the handover to the new Cabinet that took office on May 20, and that governing bodies are awaiting the Executive Yuan's final approval.

Taiwan Healthcare Reform Foundation Executive Director Lin Ya-hui said that without further information from the Executive Yuan, NHIC members cannot make an informed assessment of the proposed growth in the global budget and its breakdown across medical departments. She also voiced concerns that NHIC members may not receive the information in time to fully prepare for the negotiations starting Sept. 25.

[2024-8-28/ United Daily News]