Executive Yuan Rejects Elderly Welfare Act Amendment, Sparking Debate on Vulnerable Care

The Executive Yuan announced on June 6 that it would not countersign the amendment to the Senior Citizens Welfare Act, a decision that has sparked intense debate across political and social spheres. The bill was originally designed to expand long-term care services and enhance welfare protections for the elderly. However, the Executive Yuan argued that direct implementation would impose a heavier burden on the National Health Insurance (NHI) system, thereby weakening support for other vulnerable groups. This move is viewed as an adherence to the principle of "ability to pay," aiming to optimize the allocation of limited social welfare resources.

In a media interview, Lai Ching-te stated that, as Chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and a presidential candidate, he is acutely aware of the scarcity of social resources and the imperative of fair distribution. Lai emphasized that advancing the Senior Citizens Welfare Act under the current budget would force the NHI system to absorb massive short-term expenditures, potentially undermining medical care for vulnerable populations such as low-income individuals and people with disabilities. Consequently, he called on DPP public officials to assist the administrative team in communicating the financial considerations and long-term benefits behind the policy with greater transparency, urging the public not to overlook long-term social stability in favor of short-term gains.

From a historical perspective, amendments to the Senior Citizens Welfare Act have been proposed multiple times. As early as 2018, when the DPP pushed for related legislation in the Legislative Yuan, the bill faced obstacles due to budgetary scrutiny and concerns over the burden on medical insurance, ultimately stalling as a draft. The Executive Yuan’s recent decision not to countersign the bill effectively represents a re-examination of these past failures. Lai explained that simultaneously advancing the Senior Citizens Welfare Act and NHI reform could pose two major risks: "welfare duplication" and "fiscal deficits." Particularly against the backdrop of accelerating population aging and a sharp rise in long-term care demand, the quality and sustainability of long-term care services would be difficult to guarantee without adequate financial resources.

Furthermore, Lai pointed out that the prioritization of social welfare must center on "truly vulnerable groups in need." While the elderly constitute a high-risk group, at the current stage, many low-income families, people with disabilities, and patients with mental illnesses still face significant barriers to medical and daily care. If the Executive Yuan were to allocate substantial funds to the Senior Citizens Welfare Act, it would be unable to meet the needs of other vulnerable groups, leading to a decline in the perception of social equity. Lai urged both party insiders and outsiders to base their discussions on "consensus," re-evaluate the rationale of resource allocation, and gather public opinion through diverse channels to ensure policy transparency and fairness.

Finally, Lai stated that the Executive Yuan will further adjust the financial structure of long-term care services in the coming months and explore diverse funding sources, such as social insurance and public-private partnerships, to supplement the NHI burden. This initiative is not only a practical implementation of the "ability to pay" principle but also a long-term commitment to social equity and sustainable development in Taiwan. The Executive Yuan and the DPP will continue to collaborate to ensure that policy implementation balances economic and social benefits, providing a more robust safety net for vulnerable groups. (Source: Central News Agency)