Opposition lawmakers have passed an amendment requiring the central
government to fully subsidize National Health Insurance premiums for eligible
seniors.

KMT and TPP lawmakers helped the amendment to pass by a vote of 60 to 39.

Under the change, people 65 or older eligible for waived health insurance
premiums would be those whose income-tax rate is below 20 percent. That would
mean a net consolidated income of less than 1.38 million NT this year

The TPP caucus said the policy fulfilled a campaign pledge made by founding
chairman Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) during his 2024 presidential campaign.

Health Minister Shih Chung-liang (石崇良) said the amendment departs from the
NHI system's principle of contributions based on ability to pay.

The amendment comes six weeks before elections.

Shih said, "An election is temporary, but the NHI system is something people
rely on and needs to be stable and sustainable."

CNA_JvW