2020-11-20
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Mayor Lu said over the past few days, the Taichung City Government has received public opinions after consulting on the plan to raise NHI rates. The Central Government today will hold a meeting for discussions to decide on the percentage of raise. Regardless of the rates of increase, "the Taichung City Government knows what the public opinions are and will give assistance" after hearing the councilman's appeal.
Mayor Lu also said the NHI program regulates both contribution percentages for the employer and the employee. This will be continuously implemented. But for individual contributions of the elderly, regardless of the increased percentage of NHI premium decided by the Central Government, the Taichung City Government will allocate sufficient budget to reduce burdens on the elderly and to ease their mind. But now the City Council has begun discussing next year's budget, the City Government will talk to the Budget, Accounting and Statistics Office about budget procedure adjustment that is believed to be supported by councilmen from all political parties.
She also explained that at present, about 380,000 senior citizens live in Taichung and among them, 31,000 are eligible for the NHI subsidies for the elderly, more than 80% coverage. Now each senior receives the highest monthly subsidy of NT$749 per month. If the Central Government decides to raise NHI rates and there will appear a premium gap, the Taichung City Government will take measures to deal with it after discussing it with the City Council.
The Social Affairs Bureau further explained that the Taichung City Government allocates the budget of NT$2.17 billion for next year and it will continuously watch the proposal of the NHI rate increase as well as the expenditure of NHI premium subsidy in the first half year in 2021. If there is a shortage, it will follow with an additional budget procedure to handle the issue.
unit:綜合企劃科
