The Legislative Yuan is set to review the Cabinet’s draft special act to drawn an additional funding of NT$410 billion to strengthen Taiwan’s economic, social and security resilience in response to international developments, of which 4.8% or NT$20 billion, will be allocated to the National Health Insurance (NHI), with the opposition Taiwan People’s Party proposed raising NHI allocation to 9% or NT$37 billion.

However, the Taiwan Hospital Association, Taiwan Medical Association, Taiwan Union of Nurses Association, Taiwan Nongovernmental Hospitals and Clinics Association, and Taiwan College of Healthcare Executive in a May 20 joint statement said that both the Cabinet and the legislative caucuses’ proposed spending are inadequate and that at least 12%, or NT$50 billion to face current health challenges. The associations said that the executive and legislative branches need a more forward-looking approach and dedicate more resources overcome the challenges of an aging population, rising demand for health services, slow adoption of new drugs and medical technologies, the need to expand funding for the cancer drugs fund, the flight of health professionals and rising costs of importing drugs.

The statement further emphasized that, amid the NHI program’s persistent long-term deficit and a growing shortage of healthcare professionals—particularly in emergency medicine, critical care, and the treatment of rare diseases—pose a serious challenge. Without sufficient funding, health policy reform risks becoming little more than rhetoric, with limited prospects for meaningful implementation.

[2025-5-20/ Central News Agency (CNA)]