Executive President Zhuo Rongtai. (File photo)
The Executive Yuan continues to oppose the Legislative Yuan's third reading of the amendment to the "Elderly Welfare Act" (those over 65 years old are exempt from health insurance premiums), and the spokesperson of the Executive Yuan threatened to adopt constitutional measures to respond. Chen Yixin, chairman of the KMT's Cultural Affairs Bureau, criticized the Executive Yuan's continued talk of unconstitutionality, financial burdens, and generational injustice. It was basically paving the way for today's "non-countersigning." Executive President Toh Wing-tai dared not directly take political responsibility for obstructing the welfare of the elderly, but let the Ministry of Health and Welfare continue to create reasons for opposition and shift political responsibility to the medical community and social welfare groups.
Chen Yixin questioned that in the past, counties and cities governed by the Democratic Progressive Party subsidized the elderly's health care premiums, and President Lai Qingde had publicly affirmed it. Now, Zhuo Rongtai said that the central government's unified subsidies are unconstitutional. Could it be that local government can take care of the elders, but the central government cannot?
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Chen Yixin specifically named 10 DPP legislators who voted for the county mayor election, including Shen Boyang, Su Qiaohui, He Xinchun, Chen Suyue, Liu Jianguo, Cai Yiyu, Wang Meihui, Chen Tingfei, Lai Ruilong, and Chen Ying, who were all absent during the important vote on the "Elderly Welfare Law" on October 16. If the Executive Yuan further blocks the amendment of the law today, they cannot continue to evade and must make a public statement.
Chen Yixin asked the 10 Green Committee members to publicly tell the voters: Do they support the central government to subsidize the elderly health insurance premiums in accordance with the law? Do you agree or disagree with Zhuo Wengtai's refusal to countersign to block the amendment of the law? Don't rush to pray to your elders during elections, but be absent collectively when voting, or be silent when the Executive Yuan is preparing to block welfare benefits. The rights and interests of the elders cannot become a victim of political struggle. The 10 Green Committee members must give a clear explanation to the voters.
Chen Yixin emphasized that the Kuomintang's push to amend the "Elderly Welfare Law" is to strengthen the equal rights of the elderly and practice the spirit of "old people and old people". The same elders of the Republic of China should not receive different welfare benefits just because they live in different counties and cities! We cannot let the welfare of the elderly depend on the place of household registration, let alone let local financial differences turn into inequality in the rights and interests of the elderly! The Kuomintang advocates that the central government should take responsibility so that eligible elders, regardless of north or south, urban or rural, can enjoy consistent health insurance subsidy protection. This is true justice for generations.
