The explosion mobilized social welfare groups to oppose the revision of the "old welfare law"? Shi Chongliang: Silence is dereliction of duty

Minister of Health and Welfare Shi Chongliang was interviewed before the establishment of the Yuan Dynasty. (Photo by reporter Chen Yikuan)

The Executive Yuan will decide today (6th) whether to countersign the "Elderly Welfare Act" and exempt seniors over the age of 65 from health insurance premiums. It is reported that Minister of Health and Welfare Shi Chongliang has sent a message asking medical and social welfare groups to appeal to the outside world to oppose it. In this regard, Shi Chongliang attended the court meeting today and said that the revised law has serious flaws and violates the spirit of health care. It would be a serious dereliction of duty if he remained silent.

According to media reports, the Legislative Yuan passed the "Elderly Welfare Law" in the third reading a few days ago, and before the Executive Yuan decided whether to countersign it, many articles opposing the amendment appeared in the media. The driving force behind the law was Shi Chongliang. The report pointed out that during his business trip in the United States, Shi Chongliang did not forget to manipulate domestic public opinion on the amendment of the "Elderly Welfare Act" and personally sent text messages to more than 10 medical and social welfare groups, hoping that they would speak out and arouse resentment among the groups.

The Legislative Yuan held a meeting today to invite Executive President Zhuo Rongtai's policy address and prepare questions. Shi Chongliang was present. In an interview before the meeting, Shi Chongliang said that the amendment to the "Elderly Welfare Law" has serious flaws. It not only deletes some medical subsidies, but also violates the basic structure of health insurance, including the spirit of mutual help and mutual benefit, capacity payment and generational fairness. Therefore, he would like to appeal again, hoping to have more discussions and not to rush to promote the amendment.

As for the news that social welfare groups have been asked to express their opposition to the amendment of the Elderly Welfare Law through messages, Shi Chongliang said, "In the face of such serious flaws in the amendment, if I remain silent, I believe this will be a serious dereliction of duty."