
Lai plans expanded long-term care subsidies, national cancer fund
DPP presidential candidate Lai Ching-te has unveiled an ambitious vision for health care. Speaking at his third policy presentation, Lai introduced what he called Long-Term Care 3.0, which doubles the subsidy for patients in residential services. Lai also plans to set up a cancer drug fund, which aims to lower the mortality rate by a third by the year 2030. Let’s hear from him.
Lai Ching-te
DPP presidential candidate
Harnessing my medical expertise, I hope to partner with the medical community and to integrate society’s resources to build a healthy Taiwan.
DPP presidential candidate Lai Ching-te has unveiled his plan for health care. One policy is a national program for preventing and treating cancer.
Lai Ching-te
DPP presidential candidate
We will set up a cancer drug fund, a NT$10 billion cancer drug fund. By the year 2030, we want to reduce cancer’s mortality rate by a third. We will give nurses the legislation they’ve requested regarding nurse-to-patient ratios. These are the goals we are committed to.
Lai said he would improve the working conditions of nurses, starting with staff in critical care. This would be done in the first two years of his term, he said. Lai also outlined a plan to upgrade Long-Term Care 2.0. Version 3.0 will offer more support to incapacitated patients, plus enhanced residential services and subsidies. It will also cover more older adults.
Lai Ching-te
DPP presidential candidate
Of course, we will also encourage or provide incentives for long-term care service providers to set up locations in remote areas. In addition, our annual subsidy will go up from NT$60,000 to NT$120,000. In the future, it could gradually rise to NT$180,000, which is a monthly subsidy of NT$15,000.
Lai pledged to create a support system spanning patient homes, society, institutions, medical facilities, and social welfare networks. Also on Thursday, Lai’s rival Ko Wen-je held his own press event on social welfare programs. Ko took issue with Long-Term Care 2.0, saying that its budget was insufficient.
Lai Ching-te
DPP presidential candidate
Whether it was President Tsai or President Ma who put in more effort and did more for long-term care – the answer is obvious. If there’s anybody out there who wants to criticize the current long-term care program, fire away. I am ready to do the work. I will roll up my sleeves to deliver Long-Term Care 3.0.
A confident Lai said he was ready to take action. The doctor-turned-politician vowed to safeguard Taiwan’s health, to use his expertise and achievements to earn public support.
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2023-09-21