In Taiwan senior citizens, above 65 years of age, will now be entitled for health insurance premium subsidies, according to a new amendment passed by the Taiwanese lawmakers.
The amendment that was passed by a vote of 60 to 39, requires the central government to fully subsidise National Health Insurance premiums for eligible seniors. The Taiwanese legislature Yuan is opposition-controlled.
Under the change, people 65 or older eligible for waived health insurance premiums would be those whose income-tax rate is below 20%. That would mean a net consolidated income of less than NT$1.38m ($42,522) in 2026.
This was a campaign pledge made by founding chairman Ko Wen-je during his 2024 presidential campaign. Health Minister Shih Chung-liang said the amendment, however, departs from the NHI system's principle of contributions based on ability to pay. The amendment comes six weeks before elections.
Mr Shih said, "An election is temporary, but the NHI system is something people rely on and needs to be stable and sustainable."