Lan Bai recently tried to amend Article 22 of the "Elderly Welfare Law" to allow seniors over 65 years old to be exempted from paying health insurance premiums. As a result, they were caught deleting two important legal sources of health insurance-related subsidies that local governments should provide to disadvantaged seniors. Wang Wanyu, chairman of the Times Power Party, pointed out that the most ridiculous part is that the version of the amendment originally proposed by Blue and White still fully retains the relevant subsidies, but on the day of the third reading, it made a "re-amendment motion", and it is suspected that it was voted on without even reading it, which resulted in such a big deal.
Wang Wanyu posted on Facebook this afternoon (18th), "Lanbai has caused a big disaster with this revision of the law! As soon as I saw the warning from lawyer Lai Zhongqiang, I immediately read the text of the final third reading of the "Elderly Welfare Law" and found that the problems with this revision of the law are far more serious than everyone imagined. Lanbai actually cut off the subsidies for "vulnerable elders"!"
She went on to list the differences before and after the revision of the law. "The article before the revision of the law stated that 'If the elderly or their legal support obligors are unable to afford the insurance premiums, part-payments or medical expenses not covered by insurance benefits for the elderly participating in the national health insurance, the municipality, The county (city) competent authority shall provide subsidies." After the law was revised on October 16, it became "If the elderly or their legal guardians participate in the national health insurance, and the total comprehensive income of the elderly in the most recent year does not meet the reporting standard or the comprehensive income tax rate does not reach 20%, as determined by the tax collection authority, the central competent authority shall fully subsidize it."
"Do you see the problem? Blue and White expanded the scope of subsidies for "health premiums", but deleted the two subsidies that were originally provided to the elders of low- and middle-income households: "partial burden of medical treatment and hospitalization" and "medical expenses not covered by health insurance." Based on Article 22, the Ministry of Health and Welfare formulated the "Elderly Persons" The "National Health Insurance Unaffordable Subsidy Measures" allows elders from low- and middle-income households who cannot afford medical expenses to apply for subsidies from local governments. Now, the legal basis for the relevant provisions of this subsidy method has disappeared. What kind of ridiculous amendment is this?
Wang Wanyu continued: "What's even more ridiculous is that there was no such problem in the first place! On April 9, 2024, the Kuomintang League's revised version of the law retained these two kinds of subsidies, and even advocated that the central government should be fully borne. On May 17, 2024, the People's Party League version also completely retained the original provisions, allowing local governments to continue to bear the subsidy obligations. Even on October 2 this year, the version proposed by the Kuomintang Chen Chaoming and others still completely retained these two types of medical subsidies. Conclusion As a result, on the day of the third reading, Lan Bai suddenly deleted these two items. Although there are still some guarantees in the National Health Insurance Law and the Social Assistance Law, it does not mean that all subsidies are immediately deleted. However, it means that even the current subsidy method faces legal issues. Can low- and middle-income elders still receive the original medical subsidies? Now there is a big question mark.
Finally, Wang Wanyu asked: "I would like to ask Chairman Huang Guochang of the People's Party who led the revision of the law. On the evening of October 15, you and Chiang Wanan just joined together for a live broadcast, and then rushed to the Legislative Yuan, leading the party group to broadcast live, queuing up all night, rushing to complete the third reading before the Double Ninth Festival. As a result, the law that Blue and White rushed to pass the next day actually protected the weak. The provisions that favor the elders have been deleted. Have you figured out what laws you are amending? Originally, you have issued an election check that will bear the long-term financial burden on the younger generation. Now, even the vulnerable elders who need help the most may be harmed by your hasty legislation. "
"People's Party Chairman Huang Guochang, Kuomintang Chief Convener Fu Kunqi, and People's Party Chief Convener Chen Qinglong, who are leading the revision of the law, please take responsibility, take the initiative to explain the process of the law amendment, and propose a remedial plan. Please also ask the Ministry of Health and Welfare to simultaneously inventory the affected subsidies to ensure that the medical rights of vulnerable elders will not be interrupted. Finally, please President Zhuo Rongtai immediately initiate the review process, and ask President Lai Qingde to approve it, and send this problematic law amendment back to the Legislative Yuan for reconsideration within the statutory period!"
