TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's universal healthcare system is set to receive a substantial financial buffer against global market uncertainties. National Health Insurance Administration (NHI, 健保署), Taiwan's government agency overseeing the national healthcare program, will benefit from a newly adopted NT$410 billion (US$12.6 billion) special budget, Director-General Shih Chung-liang (石崇良) explained on Friday (April 25). The measure, approved by Taiwan's cabinet on Thursday, earmarks NT$20 billion (about US$615 million) specifically for the NHI fund to counter unforeseen risks and maintain stable medication supplies domestically.
The financial reinforcement comes amid widespread anxiety among citizens and legislators in the Legislative Yuan (立法院), Taiwan's parliament, about how American trade policies might drive up pharmaceutical costs. Shih explained that health officials intend to deploy these resources strategically to prevent medication scarcity caused by unpredictable tariff changes. The healthcare administrator stressed that this financial cushion would help maintain market equilibrium during price fluctuations, ultimately safeguarding the public's ability to obtain necessary medicines.
Shih revealed that Taiwan's health insurance system typically reserves NT$2 billion (US$61.5 million) annually for contingencies and policy implementation. Should tariff-related disruptions exceed this standard buffer, the extraordinary allocation from the Executive Yuan (行政院), Taiwan's cabinet, will provide additional financial support. The healthcare chief noted that any surplus from the NT$20 billion (about US$615 million) emergency fund would not go to waste but instead strengthen the insurance program's financial foundations, creating longer-term security for Taiwan's healthcare system. ★
