The National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA) organized the NHI's 30th Anniversary Celebration Walk at the Floral Sea Square in Taipei Expo Park on March 29. The event was attended by President Ching-Te Lai, Minister Tai-Yuan Chiu of the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW), Deputy Minister Jih-Haw Chou of the MOHW, and key figures in the implementation of the NHI program, including former Senior Advisor to the President Po-Ya Chang (former President of the Control Yuan and former Director General of the Health Administration), former General Manager of the Bureau of National Health Insurance (BNHI) Chien-Hsiang Liu, former Director General of the BNHI Shou-Hsia Cheng, and Gue-Ying Day, along with representatives from the healthcare sectors.
Additionally, several NHI beneficiaries were invited to share their personal experiences with the program, including professional baseball coach and parent of premature babies Chih-Kang Kao, Jia-Yuan Wu—one of the first recipients of CAR-T cell therapy who was diagnosed with leukemia in high school, Vietnamese immigrant and long-time Taiwan resident of 22 years, and "surfing grandpa" Wen-Chung Chang. The event also featured 28 stands hosted by various medical, pharmaceutical organizations, and occupational unions, providing information and consultations related to their areas of expertise. Over a thousand people participated in the walk, showing their support for NHI and a healthier Taiwan.
President Lai emphasized that the NHI program has broken the vicious cycle of "poverty causing illness and illness causing poverty" and has become a cornerstone of stability in Taiwanese society, with a satisfaction rate of over 90%. For instance, the NHI program made it possible for Jia-Yuan Wu to receive CAR-T therapy for leukemia. Thanks to the collective efforts of all involved, the NHI program continues to enhance medical accessibility and provide high-quality healthcare services to the people of Taiwan. Taiwan's NHI program is widely recognized and accredited globally, serving as an additional protective shield for the nation.
President Lai also mentioned that the NHI program has entered its 30th year and has been well supported and recognized by the people. However, challenges posed by an aging society and sub-replacement fertility are pressing matters that the government must address with new and innovative measures. The "Healthy Taiwan Promotion Committee" was established one month after President Lai took office to realize the vision of a healthy Taiwan. One of the key aspects of their work is reinforcing the financial stability and overall sustainability of the NHI program.
In 2024, the NHIA approved the inclusion of next-generation sequencing and targeted therapy drugs for various types of cancer in the NHI benefits. On March 1, 2025, the NHIA expanded the coverage of SGLT-2 inhibitors to patients with chronic kidney disease to minimize the risks of dialysis. The drug expense is estimated at NT$1.6 billion. The coverage also extended to include new drugs for rare diseases and various types of cancer, ensuring that the reimbursement scheme aligns with international standards, with an estimated 100,000 people expected to benefit.In 2025, NT$5 billion from the government budget has been allocated to the special fund for the provisional listing of new cancer drugs, aiming to relieve the financial burden on the insured. The integration of "Aging in Local Places" and relevant healthcare services has been a critical goal of Long-Term Care 3.0. The NHIA must continue to implement and expand the capacity for home healthcare and acute hospital care at home.
The President mentioned that, as a doctor, he deeply understands that only through fundamental structural improvements in the working conditions of medical personnel and the consideration of different pay for different work can the medical community continue to strive for the health of the people. In facing the challenges of the next 30 years of the NHI, we must approach reforms from a broader perspective, starting with financial aspects and incorporating the concept of health promotion. This will help reshape the healthcare service system and environment, ensuring the sustainability of the NHI.
MOHW Minister Tai-Yuan Chiu stated that, in order to achieve President Lai's goal of a Healthy Taiwan, the MOHW has been proactively implementing NHI reforms. For example, the MOHW is carrying out the 888 Hypertension, Hyperlipidemia, and Hyperglycemia Prevention Plan, which follows three main strategies: "find," "intervene," and "improve," through cross-ministerial collaboration. The plan aims to achieve early detection and intervention, establish health-oriented lifestyles for patients, and provide comprehensive, holistic care for all 5.34 million such patients in Taiwan. Additionally, the MOHW plans to incorporate Family Physician Program 2.0 to improve the effectiveness of tracking and managing these patients, transforming the conventional, treatment-oriented healthcare model. Finally, the MOHW will continue to allocate relevant budgets to invest in health, prioritize the well-being of the Taiwanese people, and expand universal health coverage strategies to contribute to the goal of a Healthy Taiwan.
Director General Chung-Liang Shih of the NHIA stated that the core principles of NHI are self-help, mutual help, risk sharing, and safeguarding the right to healthcare for all. Since the inception of the NHI program, the NHIA has been committed to providing healthcare in remote areas, addressing the needs of people with geographic disadvantages. Simultaneously, the NHIA continues to expedite the review process for the inclusion of new drugs in the NHI benefits package, aiming to improve the quality of life for patients. In addition, the NHI Donation Account was established to provide timely assistance to underprivileged families unable to pay the NHI premium due to financial difficulties.
In response to the digital era, the NHIA is striving to keep pace with global advancements and drive digital transformation by guiding domestic medical institutions in cloudifying their data systems, thereby enhancing healthcare system efficiency. A next-generation digital healthcare platform, based on Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR), has been established to facilitate telemedicine and safeguard the right to medical treatment for people in geographically disadvantaged areas.
Director General Shih further specified that the theme of the 2025 World Health Day is "Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures" which emphasizes that the health of mothers and children forms the foundation for the health of families and communities. The NHIA launched the "Gestational Diabetes Care Quality Incentive Program" in December 2024 as part of its commitment to providing comprehensive maternal care. The financial sustainability of the NHI program is a critical issue. The NHI global budget has increased from NT$300 billion initially to over NT$900 billion this year. In the face of an aging society and rapid advancements in medical technologies, NHI expenses will continue to grow in the future. Therefore, we need to shift our perspective and stop viewing the NHI program solely as an expense. On the contrary, we should consider how to transform it into an investment. After all, the NHI program is an investment in our health, industrial development, and in reshaping the healthcare system—one that requires everyone's contribution.
Finally, Director General Shih stated that "equality, mutual help, affordability, and sustainability" are the core principles of the NHI program. We can create value for the NHI program only by "safeguarding health and promoting health." The achievements of the NHI program over the past 30 years belong to everyone, and it is everyone's responsibility to ensure its stability and sustainability. The NHIA will make every effort to move forward for another 30 years.