The3 head of a civic watchdog monitoring the National Health Insurance program
is urging the Ma administration to speed up plans to introduce a
second-generation system.

According to watchdog spokeswoman - Deng Xi-hua ..... any overhaul to the
system will be more "difficult than imagined" .. and both the Cabinet and
Department of Health should take immediate action to ensure a smooth
transition.

Deng added that the main issues will revolve around how income should be
calculated and how the government defines "household" -- whether it means a
families who file income taxes together or a family whose member's residences
are only registered together.

The government says the second-generation scheme will calculate premiums
based on total household incomes rather than only taking into consideration
individuals' salaries and wages.

President Ma Ying-jeou has said the plan should be implemented within two
years.