Legislature passes amendment exempting elderly from health premiums; premier declines to countersign
The Legislative Yuan, led by the KMT and TPP, passed on third reading an amendment to the Elderly Welfare Act that conditionally exempts people aged 65 and over from paying National Health Insurance premiums. Premier Cho Jung-tai has decided not to countersign the bill. Health Minister Shih Chung-liang said health insurance finances rely mainly on salary income, and if people aged 65 and over do not pay premiums, the burden on the working population would increase.