The National Health Insurance (NHI) system is one of the public policies that people are most satisfied with, President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) said yesterday at a forum in Taipei.
The annual two-day Global Health Forum, hosted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, began its first day at National Yang Ming University yesterday with the main theme of “Public Health Governance.”
During the opening ceremony, Ma said in facing global challenges of aging population, declining birth rates, health management and other health issues, the NHI system is the most successful public health policy in Taiwan.
Since its introduction in 1995, it has the lowest administration expenses and most comprehensive scope of benefit packages globally, Ma said, adding that with one of its main features being “universal coverage,” the inclusion rate has already reached about 99 percent, while the program has a satisfaction rate of nearly 80 percent.
Another feature of the system is equity in getting medical treatment in spite of differences in economic backgrounds, he said, adding that the program aims to avoid both “poverty caused by illness” and “illness caused by poverty.”
Ma spoke about a knee injury he had when he was a student in the US about 40 years ago.
He said medical expenses for treatment of the injury totaled about US$3,000, but his student health insurance only covered about US$1,500, leaving him to pay about US$1,500, which was more than he could afford at the time.
Luckily, he was allowed to pay by installments for seven years, he said.
Ma said a similar scenario would be unlikely in Taiwan because of the nation’s policy.
The NHI is a treasured asset, he said.
According to the health ministry, since 1995, average life expectancy has increased from 74.5 to 80 years last year — a rise of 7.4 percent.
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