The National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA) and the Department of Social Welfare of Taipei City organized the "Heartwarming Autumn in Taipei: NHI Charitable Work for the Underprivileged Population" event. The aim of this charitable initiative is to assist underprivileged families in Taipei who are unable to pay their overdue NHI premiums. Over NT$2.89 million in overdue premiums for 98 individuals from 91 households were covered by the NHI Donation Account. The NHIA seeks to safeguard the right to medical treatment for the underprivileged by alleviating the burden of overdue NHI premiums, helping them navigate difficult times in their lives.
The NHIA explained that the NHI Donation Account was established primarily to assist low-income households, underprivileged children, and individuals with severe disabilities. The youngest beneficiary of the NHI Donation Account is 4 years old, while the oldest is 93. Additionally, from 2021 to 2023, the NHIA Taipei Administration Division collaborated with Yilan County, New Taipei City, Lienchiang County, Kinmen County, and Keelung City to help pay overdue NHI premiums for the underprivileged. This partnership supported a total of 544 individuals across five different counties and cities, with donations exceeding NT$10.61 million.
The NHIA Taipei Administration Division established the NHI Donation Account in 2002 to gather donations from the public to assist the underprivileged population in paying off their overdue NHI premiums. As of the end of August 2024, the account has supported over 5,000 individuals. Notably, some donations have come from those who previously received assistance and chose to pay it forward when they could. The NHIA would like to express its utmost gratitude and respect to all the donors who contribute to this charitable effort to support underprivileged families.
The NHIA emphasized that caring for the underprivileged population is a key vision of the NHI program. The NHI Donation Account enables them to ensure that the underprivileged can seek medical attention without worry. Additionally, for those unable to pay their NHI premiums due to sudden financial difficulties, the NHIA offers alternative payment arrangements, such as installment plans and applications for interest-free loans from the NHI poverty relief fund, to help alleviate their burdens.