During a National Health Insurance Committee (NHIC) meeting in May to discuss the 2026 National Health Insurance (NHI) global budget, the National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA) proposed allocating NT$9 billion to accelerate the introduction of new drugs and medical technologies, improve payment fairness among NHI subscribers, ensure access to care for patients with critical, severe, and rare diseases, and enhance the quality of health care services. However, after considering factors such as the need to rein in the NHI global budget growth rate and to improve compensation for health professionals, the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s (MOHW) Department of Social Insurance gave preliminary approval for only NT$4.1 billion.
In response, Chen Chen-hui, acting director of the MOHW’s Department of Social Insurance, said the NT$4.1 billion allocation has not been finalized and could be increased once the Executive Yuan submits the growth parameters for the 2026 NHI global budget for the NHIC’s review in September. Huang Yu-wen, chief of the NHIA’s Medical Review and Pharmaceutical Benefits Division, noted that while the NHIA initially proposed NT$9 billion for new drugs and medical technologies, the figure may be revised in light of recent policy changes on U.S. pharmaceutical tariffs. Huang added that the Cancer Drug Fund (CDF) will continue to receive central government funding next year, with President William Lai pledging to cover all necessary expenses.
Yen Bi-wen, vice president of the HOPE Foundation for Cancer Care and a member of the NHIC, suggested that future NHI global budget negotiations incorporate horizon scanning and international treatment guidelines, while also estimating the share and costs of new drugs covered by the CDF. Yen further urged the NHIA to carefully evaluate therapies that may be added to the NHI fee schedule or included under conditional listing, to ensure sufficient funding for new drugs and medical technologies and to expand budgets for new indications.
[2025-8-19/United Daily News]
