When asked whether he is in disagreement with Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shih-chung about raising National Health Insurance (NHI) premiums, during a visit to the National Palace Museum on June 23, Premier Su Tseng-chang said that each year the health ministry routinely evaluates the NHI’s premium contributions.

Premier Su said that Taiwan’s world-leading NHI system as well as public health and medical talent have been instrumental in accomplishing Taiwan’s relative success in containing the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks to the NHI system, the Taiwan society has been able to weather through the pandemic with fairness and equity.

“The NHI system must be saved from insolvency and remain fair and equitable and the government will continue to abide by existing mechanisms under these two principles,” Premier Su said, adding that the National Health Insurance Committee under the Ministry of Health and Welfare has a committee that conducts annual assessment of the NHI’s expenditures and premium income in accordance with long-standing mechanisms. Therefore, questions about whether to raise NHI premiums should be deferred to the Committee’s calculations in accordance with convention and regulations.

[2020-06-23 / Liberty Times]