83% of the elderly are exempted from health insurance premiums due to the "Old Welfare Law" that is randomly revised by blue and white. Shi Chongliang is sad that "health insurance is facing collapse"

Article 22 of the "Elderly Welfare Law" was hastily read for the third time a few days ago under Blue and White's surprise amendment. In addition to adding language that those over 65 years old are conditionally exempt from health insurance premiums, it also deleted the legal source basis that requires local governments to subsidize the related expenses of disadvantaged elders. Minister of Health and Welfare Shi Chongliang emphasized that health insurance should be shared by all people, and only those who cannot afford it, such as low-income and low-middle-income households, should be supported by the government. This amendment to the law is very inappropriate and puts the health insurance system at risk of collapse.

The Blue and White Legislators recently passed the 22nd Amendment to the "Old Welfare Law". Lawyers also pointed out the flaws in the amendment, which forced local governments to provide "partial burden of expenses" and "expenses other than health insurance benefits" subsidies to disadvantaged elders. Zhou Daojun, director of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, also confirmed that relevant provisions have been deleted in this revision of the law. In addition to the partial burden of low-income elders, whether other subsidies can be maintained depends on the decision of the local government.

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Shi Chongliang further stated today that after the amendment of the "Old Welfare Law", the text requiring local governments to provide subsidies has been deleted and replaced by central subsidies. Indeed, only relevant content about "health premium" subsidies for seniors over 65 years old, whose comprehensive income in the last year has not reached the reporting standard, or whose comprehensive income tax rate has not reached 20% has been left. After inquiry, it was found that about 83% of the elderly fell into the scope of exemption from health premiums.

"The health insurance system that the whole nation has managed to maintain so far may be facing collapse!" Shi Chongliang emphasized that the spirit of health insurance is that all people should bear the burden together. Only those who really need help and are in very difficult circumstances will be subsidized by the government. The "Health Insurance Law" also has relevant regulations to follow. For example, the health insurance premiums and part of the burden for low-income households are budgeted and subsidized by the central social affairs authority.

Shi Chongliang emphasized that health insurance has never used the tax rate to judge whether the insured is "unable to afford it." Everyone pays according to their ability. Only when everyone contributes can everyone use health insurance with confidence. This amendment violates the principle of shared burdens for all people. The amendment is obviously unreasonable and undermines the design of the health insurance system.

Regarding the amendment of the "Old Welfare Law" that exempts most elderly people from health insurance premiums, and the opposition party's continued proposal that children under 6 years old should also be exempted from health insurance premiums, Shi Chongliang said that the government has other assistance measures for the elderly and families with children, and has also prepared budget support. For example, the cost of long-term care for the elderly has exceeded 110 billion this year, and there is also a tax-free deduction limit on income tax for long-term care expenses, and children have a growth allowance of 5,000 yuan a month.