Shi Chongliang: Medical expenses for the elderly are 9 times higher than health insurance premiums

立法院三讀通過「老人福利法」修正案，中央將補助綜合所得稅率未達廿％的六十五歲以上長者全額健保費。 Minister of Health and Welfare Shi Chongliang pointed out yesterday that the current annual out-of-pocket premiums paid by the elderly are about 9,900 yuan, but the average medical expenditure reaches 90,000 yuan, which is about nine times. Taiwan’s health insurance premiums are already very low. “Is it necessary to make such an adjustment again?”

石崇良表示，修法涉及健保量能付費、永續發展及世代正義。 〇至六歲兒童每年自付保費約八五〇〇元，平均醫療支出約二萬七千元，約三倍，長者約為九倍。 Both medical expenditures exceed self-paid premiums and are supported by workers and salaried classes with relatively low medical utilization. Therefore, fairness should be considered when discussing subsidies for infants and the elderly.

Regarding some people's support for amending the law on the basis of "health equality", Shi Chongliang pointed out that each county and city subsidizes the elderly's premiums according to their financial and administrative priorities, and the central government respects this.地方財務不均，例如台北市已全面性補助，雲林只能部分補助；修法後，台北市將再獲中央五十六． With an investment of 600 million yuan, Yunlin received 13. 600 million yuan.他反問：「這樣到底是朝健康平權拉近？還是拉遠？」不能用「鋸箭法」，以為解決問題，卻衍生後續問題。

As for health insurance finances, Shi Chongliang said that 60 billion yuan has been budgeted for next year's public affairs budget and will be injected into the health insurance fund. However, the implementation of premium subsidies for the elderly will limit the resources at the central government's disposal. The government also has other needs for welfare and health insurance injections, but this time the law was revised, "the injection into health insurance has not increased at all." He said, "I actually had insomnia again yesterday, and I am very worried about the future of health insurance." He emphasized that health insurance needs sustainable development, and everyone should protect it together.

Chen Liyin, founder of the Rare Disease Foundation, said that vulnerable elderly people do need support, but she has an annuity and retirement pension and is willing to pay health insurance premiums. "I want to be an independent elderly person." She also reminded that when discussing the issue of premium subsidies for the elderly and insurance for dependent children, the income and affordability of young people should be taken into consideration.