Taipei, March 18 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian said Friday the government will do its utmost to bolster the cash-strapped national health insurance program.
Chen made the pledge while addressing the opening of an international seminar on health insurance issues, which was organized by the Cabinet-level Department of Health to mark the 10th anniversary of the country's universal health insurance program.
Praising the national health insurance program as "Taiwan's national treasure," Chen said that over the past decade, the program has benefited local people, particularly those with serious diseases, chronic ailments or critical injuries.
Noting that sustainable development of the health insurance program is the government's promise to local people, Chen said his administration will spare no effort to prevent the system from going bankrupt.
Chen said the Cabinet is working on a package of measures, including raising the ceiling on the index insurance premium and increasing taxes on cigarettes and liquors, to improve the program's financial status. "With confidence, creativity and strenuous efforts, I'm confident that we'll succeed in keeping our health insurance program afloat, " Chen said.
Scores of health insurance experts from the United States, Britain, Japan, South Korea and several other countries are attending the seminar in Taipei.