Minister Tai-Yuan Chiu of the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW), accompanied by Deputy Ministers Ching-Yi Lin, Jen-Der Lue, and Jih-Haw Chou, attended a press conference on May 22 to address the media. Minister Chiu emphasized that Taiwan's National Health Insurance (NHI) program is globally recognized as a model for universal health coverage, despite the ongoing challenge of ensuring healthcare for entire populations worldwide. However, he emphasized the necessity of continuous improvement. The MOHW will proactively implement NHI reforms and increase investments in healthcare to realize President Lai's vision of a Healthy Taiwan.

Minister Tai-Yuan Chiu has emphasized that the ten major policies drafted during the Healthy Taiwan Forum, convened before President Lai's inauguration, serve as the guiding principles for the MOHW. The forum was chaired by former president of the National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Jyh-Hong Chen. Regarding the high-profile NHI reform issues, Minister Chiu outlined three key principles for medical reforms: 1) Maintaining the highest healthcare quality for the people; 2) Ensuring dignity and security for all medical personnel, including reasonable incomes; 3) Ensuring smooth operation in medical facilities and addressing any obstacles hindering such operations as a national concern. Based on these principles, all reforms must prioritize the well-being of the people and the country. Despite facing pressure from various sectors, the MOHW is committed to developing short-, medium-, and long-term measures for fair financial distribution. The minister believes that future negotiations among different parties will lead to better directions and solutions.

Minister Chiu emphasized that the NHI program extends beyond mere reimbursement points. The well-being of the people should be the primary concern, and funds should be allocated where they are most needed. For instance, in cases of terminal-stage illnesses, hospice and palliative care can enhance patients' quality of life while reducing expenses for the NHI. Therefore, promoting hospice and palliative care in such instances is highly beneficial.

Deputy Minister Ching-Yi Lin emphasized that Taiwan's NHI program stands out globally for providing high-quality healthcare with relatively limited resources, largely thanks to the dedication of frontline medical personnel. However, "you can't have your cake and eat it too." To effectively care for the entire population, the NHI program requires periodic review, especially in light of Taiwan's aging society and declining birth rates. Indeed, over the past eight years, Taiwan's economy has thrived under President Tsai's leadership, with significant investments directed towards the health sector. In the next four years, the newly inaugurated government is committed to further investing in the well-being of the people.

Deputy Minister Lin emphasized that while regulations related to NHI reimbursement points will be part of the reform, they won't be the only focus. Particularly, as Taiwan grapples with challenges posed by its aging society and sub-replacement fertility rates, pressures on the NHI program are expected to increase. According to data from the National Development Council, Taiwan's labor force is projected to gradually decrease over the next 10 to 20 years. Therefore, careful examination of NHI budget estimates is essential, considering factors such as NHI premiums and the country's overall income and expenditure.

Deputy Minister Lin emphasized the urgency of NHI reform, highlighting the need for proper communication among relevant departments and offices within the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW). It is expected that these entities will coordinate to allocate funding from their respective budgets to alleviate the financial burden on the NHI program. For instance, expenses related to the Cancer Drugs Fund and preventive care should be covered by dedicated funds and projects. In essence, before revising the NHI reimbursement point scheme, an inventory check of the government's financial resources should be conducted. The reforms will not be based solely on formal equality, as different medical specialties face distinct challenges. Furthermore, issues such as the shortage of non-physician medical personnel cannot be resolved solely by adjusting the NHI reimbursement point scheme. Therefore, the MOHW is implementing additional supporting measures to ensure the sustainability of the NHI program.