Blue and White criticize the President for his double standards! The DPP named Jiang Wanan and Huang Guochang: 40 billion is burned every year, "Where does the money come from?"

The Legislative Yuan held a meeting on the 16th to deal with the bill and passed the "Amendment to Article 22 of the Elderly Welfare Law" on the third reading. (File photo)

In response to Blue and White's questioning of President Lai's affirmation that the Pingtung County government's promotion of elderly health insurance premium subsidies is a "double standard", DPP spokesperson Li Kunchengjin said that the President affirmed that County Magistrate Zhou Chunmi promoted welfare measures such as child nutrition subsidies and elderly health insurance premium subsidies without borrowing debt or excluding other policies. However, Blue and White deliberately Ignoring fiscal discipline and budgetary powers and responsibilities, conflating local governments' own budget preparation with the Legislative Yuan's request for the central government to increase expenditures through amendments to the law is simply a change of concept and misleading society. If Huang Guochang and Jiang Wanan really care about the welfare of the elderly, they should answer directly where the financial resources come from and how to ensure the sustainability of the health insurance system.

Li Kuncheng pointed out that the Pingtung County government decided to expand the elderly health care premium subsidy only after assessing its financial capabilities and confirming that it had sufficient financial resources. This is in line with the three principles that the central government has always adhered to: "not borrowing money, not crowding out other policies, and being legal and constitutional." On the other hand, the amendments to the "Elderly Welfare Law" jointly passed by Blue and White will increase expenditures by nearly 40 billion yuan every year, and will exceed 62.8 billion yuan in 2049. Faced with the long-term financial pressure brought about by an aging population, Blue and White are unwilling to face up to financial resources and generational justice, but are busy making a fuss about the president's remarks. Is it possible that as long as they shout about welfare policies, they don't have to explain where the money comes from?

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Li Kuncheng emphasized that the DPP has never opposed caring for the elderly. The central government continues to improve the medical and long-term care systems, and local governments can also expand welfare for the elderly based on their financial capabilities and local needs. However, welfare policies cannot only focus on the immediate future, let alone sacrifice other public construction and the rights and interests of future generations. In particular, Article 70 of the Constitution clearly stipulates that the Legislative Yuan shall not increase expenditures on budget proposals proposed by the Executive Yuan. Article 91 of the Budget Law also requires that legislators who propose legislation that significantly increases annual expenditures should first consult the Executive Yuan. When local governments increase welfare, they must prepare their own budgets and submit them to parliament for review. Could it be that when it comes to the central government, Blue and White can ignore the constitutional distinction and directly demand the Executive Yuan to assume financial responsibility?

Li Kuncheng finally said that taking care of the elderly should not be reduced to a tool for political offense and defense. If Huang Guochang and Jiang Wanan really care about the welfare of the elderly, they should answer directly where the financial resources come from and how to ensure the sustainability of the health insurance system, instead of taking quotes out of context and creating confrontation. Blue and White cannot ask the government to increase expenditures while avoiding fiscal responsibilities, let alone smear a government that operates in accordance with the law and adheres to fiscal discipline as being opposed to caring for the elderly.