During a handover ceremony, newly appointed National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA) Director General Chen Lian-yu on September 9 said that in light of the flight of healthcare professionals and nursing staff, it is more apparent that the government cannot shirk the responsibility of reforming the National Health Insurance (NHI).

Director General Chen outlined four key priorities: she aims to enhance NHI’s revenue streams by reforming the supplementary premium system; improve working conditions and personnel retention through better compensation; advance chronic disease and cancer treatments while promoting the NT$10 billion Cancer Drug Fund and the Chronic Disease 888 Plan to ensure holistic care; and push forward the digital transformation of the NHI system, including the establishment of digital health platforms.

Responding to speculation from opposition legislators about her family’s political ties to President William Lai and concerns over her lack of direct NHI experience, Director General Chen said in a media interview after the handover ceremony that during her tenure as head of the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s Department of Mental Health, she led initiatives such as a mental health support program for young adults, a national mental resilience program, and the creation of Taiwan’s first Alcohol Abstinence and Addiction Prevention Center, before being promoted to NHIA deputy director general. She added that she welcomes input from stakeholders with an open mind and hopes to guide the NHIA toward a sustainable NHI system with their support.

[2025-09-09/Central News Agency (CNA)]