Person

Chang Tun-han

1. Taiwan legislature passes central subsidy of elderly NHI premiums; Executive Yuan urges parties to 'think twice'

   Taiwan's Legislative Yuan on Oct 16 passed on third reading an amendment to Article 22 of the Senior Citizens Welfare Act under which the central competent authority fully subsidises National Health Insurance premiums for elderly people whose recent-year consolidated income is below the filing threshold or whose consolidated income tax rate is below 20%. CNA reported Executive Yuan Secretary-General Chang Tun-han said on Oct 19 the amendment excludes co-payments and non-NHI medical costs for low- and middle-income elderly and may abandon those most in need; the bill has not yet left the legislature, and he hoped parties would 'think twice'. He said central welfare policy sticks to no added borrowing, no crowding out of other policies, and legality and constitutionality; opposition parties argue the central subsidy means the NHI fund 'will not lose a single dollar'.

   Oct 19, 2026 Afternoon