Before the nine-in-one general election, Blue and White issued multiple election checks. The Legislative Yuan passed the third reading to amend the "Elderly Welfare Act" to clearly stipulate that seniors over 65 years old are conditionally exempt from health insurance premiums. The Executive Yuan announced today (6) that it "will not countersign". Executive Yuan spokesperson Li Huizhi said that this revision of the law involves three major issues. First, it deletes some legal sources of medical subsidies, resulting in a gap in medical security for the economically disadvantaged elderly; second, it increases a huge financial burden and is contrary to intergenerational justice. 3. It infringes upon the power of the Executive Yuan to formulate policy plans and propose budgets in accordance with the Constitution, and violates the principle of separation of powers in the Constitution. Executive President Zhuo Rongtai decided not to countersign. This is the ninth time that Zhuo Kui has not countersigned.
Li Huizhi pointed out that the elderly who are economically disadvantaged, seek medical treatment for injuries and illnesses, and actually face high medical expenses are the last line of defense of the social safety net. However, this amendment deletes the legal basis for two types of subsidies: "partially paid expenses by health insurance" and "medical expenses not covered by health insurance" (self-paid medical treatment), affecting 66,000 low- and middle-income elderly people. These vulnerable elders are not the recipients of assistance stipulated in the Social Assistance Law, and only rely on subsidies from the Elderly Welfare Law. After the legal source is deleted, not only will their medical protection be damaged, but they may even fall into more serious financial difficulties due to their inability to afford medical expenses. This seriously violates the legislative purpose of the Elderly Welfare Law to care for vulnerable elders.
Li Huizhi said that in accordance with the relevant norms of the Constitution and the Budget Law, the Executive Yuan is responsible for proposing the budget, and the Legislative Yuan will review it in accordance with the law; in accordance with the spirit of Article 70 of the Constitution and Article 91 of the Budget Law, the Legislative Yuan shall not propose proposals to increase government expenditures.
Li Huizhi added that this revision of the law has almost no real effect on reducing wealth. More than 80% of seniors aged 65 and above can be exempted from health insurance premiums. Annual new funding is about 40 billion yuan. However, limited public resources should give priority to the most needy economically disadvantaged groups rather than adopting universal subsidies. Moreover, as our country has entered a super-aged society, related expenditures will continue to face growth pressure. Regardless of whether the government raises financial resources by adjusting existing policy plans, borrowing debt, or adjusting health insurance premiums, it may eventually turn into a financial burden for the young and middle-aged generations. This will not only reduce the resources of other public policies, but also increase the economic pressure between generations, which is contrary to intergenerational justice.
Li Huizhi stressed that the government continues to invest in elderly care. This year's long-term care 3.0 budget has exceeded 110 billion yuan, and it has improved welfare for the elderly from the aspects of economic security, medical care and community support, including increasing the allowance for elderly farmers, the national pension and the living allowance for low- and middle-income elderly people, promoting health premium subsidies, denture subsidies and free health examinations for the vulnerable elderly over 70 years old, and continuing to strengthen care for the elderly living alone, community care and integrated medical and long-term care services.
