Su Chiao-hui did not vote for free elderly health insurance, citing fiscal resource concerns; Li Sichuan calls on the central government to return NT$5.41 billion

KMT candidate for New Taipei Mayor Lee Sichuan bluntly stated today that Mayor Hou You-yi had previously pointed out that the budget calculations for the welfare policies proposed by Su Chao-hui are entirely incorrect, with the actual budget being much higher. He further called on Su, if she truly cares about the budget, to urgently urge the central government to disburse the NT$5.41 billion it owes New Taipei City for the MRT.

The New Taipei mayoral race is heating up. Regarding opposition lawmakers' third reading of the amendments to the "Senior Citizen Welfare Act" to promote free senior health insurance with income exclusions, DPP candidate Su Chao-hui was criticized for voting against it and being absent. Su claimed she did not vote due to considerations regarding budget funding sources. In response, KMT candidate Lee Sichuan bluntly stated today that Mayor Hou You-yi had previously said that the budget calculations for all the welfare policies proposed by Su Chao-hui are incorrect, and the actual budget is much higher than what she claimed. Furthermore, he called on Su that if she cares so much about the budget, she should also quickly urge the central government to disburse the NT$5.41 billion owed to New Taipei City for the MRT.

Speaking to the media this afternoon after the establishment of the New Taipei Pharmaceutical Industry Support Association, Lee Sichuan pointed out that, just as Hou You-yi said, all the welfare policies proposed by Su Chao-hui actually have incorrect budget calculations, and the actual budget is much higher than what she stated. In addition, if Su Chao-hui is so concerned about the budget, regarding the NT$5.41 billion that the central government owes New Taipei City for the MRT, he also asks Su to quickly urge the central government to allocate it to New Taipei City.

When asked by the media whether, following yesterday's joint appearance by the leaders of Keelung, New Taipei, Taipei, and Taoyuan to endorse Taoyuan Mayor Chang San-cheng, he would also focus on a four-city alliance and play a team strategy in the future, Lee Sichuan responded that all the good friends from the pharmaceutical industry came to the headquarters today to support and encourage him. Last night, he also attended the establishment of Chang San-cheng's campaign headquarters. Keelung, New Taipei, Taipei, and Taoyuan have always been a single-day living circle, and the four cities have naturally formed a working alliance, not just for the sake of elections. Everyone will certainly work together and strive hard for the transportation, economy, culture, and education of Keelung, New Taipei, Taipei, and Taoyuan to create a safe and prosperous environment for the citizens.