Pharmaceutical News
Former U.S. Health Secretary visits Taiwan, learns more about NHI
2019/05/03

By Deng Gui-fen

Accompanied by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, former U.S. Health Secretary Thomas E. Price, who has publicly called on the World Health Organization (WHO) to invite Taiwan to its annual World Health Assembly (WHA), visited Taipei Veterans General Hospital (TVGH). Taiwan’s National Health Insurance program and quality of health care left the former health secretary with a deep impression.

In addition to voicing his support of greater international participation for Taiwan, former Secretary Price also hopes to see closer healthcare and biotechnology collaborations with the U.S.

Meanwhile, the Stephen J. Solarz Memorial Fund facilitated cooperation between the U.S.-based National Institutes of Health and a TVGH-National Yang Ming University medical team, establishing a joint research lab at TVGH to conduct lung cancer research.

Former Secretary Price commended the joint research lab, and urged for the continued collaborations between Taiwan and the U.S. in uncovering the distinct genomic differences between Asian and Western populations that would lead to improved precision therapies.

Li Wei-chiang, a director at Taipei Veterans Hospital General Hospital’s Department of Medical Affairs & Planning, said that former Secretary Price is highly interested in the National Health Insurance program, as implementing a universal health coverage system remains a hotly debated topic in the U.S.

Among other questions, Former Secretary Price’s asked whether Taiwan’s universal health coverage for all citizens is financially sustainable for hospitals, according to Director Li.

“After all, there is no perfect system,” Former Secretary Price was quoted as saying, according to Director Li.

According to Li, Price was surprised that unlike the situation in the U.S., support for the NHI has remained unaffected by government turnovers following elections.

The National Health Insurance Administration said that Directorate-General Director-General Lee Po-chang had personally received Secretary Price during his visit and explained in detail Taiwan’s NHI program.

(2019-05-02 United Daily News)