Chen conceded, however, that there is ample room for the service to improve and that the DOH cannot shake its responsibility for the cash shortage.
The main opposition KMT pointed out that the DOH promised earlier this year not to raise fees before the end of 2003 when it sought support for revisions to health laws.
"How can the department make such a turnabout within such a short period of time?" KMT legislative leader Tseng Yung-chuan asked reporters later in the day.
Tseng said his party would take drastic measures if the Cabinet goes through with the plan to increase fees.
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