Blue and White approved the exemption of health insurance premiums for 65-year-olds. Ko Wenzhe called for the rich to be excluded, and even said that "letting young people pay" is a cognitive battle.

Legislators from the Kuomintang and the People's Party jointly passed the 22nd amendment to the "Elderly Welfare Law" on the third reading. Elderly people over 65 years old and whose income tax rate falls below 20% are exempt from paying health insurance premiums. In other words, the central government will foot the bill in full. Ko Wenzhe, the former chairman of the People's Party, was interviewed today (17th). When asked about this matter, he said that when he was elected as president in 2024, he advocated that the elderly over 65 years old should be exempted from paying health insurance premiums, but that social benefits should be consistent, long-term and institutional in nature. Therefore, he emphasized that there must be wealth exclusion clauses and should be funded by the national social welfare budget. This requires fiscal discipline, so he also opposes universal cash. As for saying that the elderly do not pay health insurance premiums and that young people should pay, it is "cognitive warfare."

Ko Wenzhe pointed out that when he was running for president, he advocated that people over 65 years old should be exempted from paying health insurance premiums. However, no matter what kind of capitalist society it is, medical care and education should adhere to socialism. Education is hoped that every student can use it, because it is the last chance for the poor to turn over. Yes, so this social function must be retained, and the same goes for medical care. "Health insurance plays a great role in social stability in Taiwan." At that time, he considered that the elderly's retirement income would be reduced and they should not lose protection because they could not afford health insurance premiums, so he proposed related policies to exclude the rich, which is also the consistent position of the People's Party.

"Where is the problem today?" Ke Wenzhe explained that some counties and cities are relatively wealthy and have begun to implement relevant policies, but counties and cities without money cannot do so. This is the imbalance caused by the different financial conditions of counties and cities. Therefore, social welfare should be consistent, long-term, and institutional. Today's backlash from the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the medical community is to engage in "cognitive warfare," claiming that the elderly do not pay health insurance premiums and must be paid to young people. "It's too low. I didn't say that."

Ko Wenzhe emphasized that the corresponding funds should be covered by the national social welfare budget. Therefore, he opposed the universal cash distribution of 10,000 yuan, and even more opposed to the universal cash distribution of 20,000 yuan. The system must be established in the long term, and the country must have fiscal discipline. This kind of one-time consumption cannot be used. "The current universal cash payment! I am opposed to such miscellaneous special budgets. The budget should be normal."