【Special Interview】IC Voice “Health Care I Take Care” “Lee Bochang – Introduction to New Book Facing Humanity, Pragmatic Health Insurance Reform: What the People of Taiwan Should Know About National Health Insurance”
30 years ago, Taiwan had not yet implemented the National Health Insurance (NHI). If a family member were to suffer from a major illness, such as needing dialysis or surgery, it could bankrupt an entire household just to afford treatment. Today, citizens have the autonomy to seek medical care, and we truly owe this to the foresight of public health pioneers, the government’s persistence, the wisdom and responsibility of successive directors of the National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA), and the concerted efforts of medical personnel. Because of this, we now enjoy the stability and health that NHI brings.
What prompted former NHIA Director Professor Lee Bochang to continue his passionate writing after leaving office, offering solutions for the sustainability of Taiwan’s health insurance system? Why is health insurance reform closely tied to human nature? Under the care of the NHI, it has become unimaginable for the public to consider a medical system without health insurance. Thus, the primary concerns are whether the NHI can operate sustainably, whether it might go bankrupt, and whether the insurance premium rates will increase.
In this episode, we have a special telephone interview with former NHIA Director Professor Lee Bochang, who has received both the Medical Dedication Award for Special Contributions and the Taiwan Medical Model Award. He shares insights from his new book Facing Humanity, Pragmatic Health Insurance Reform to help everyone better understand Taiwan’s internationally renowned National Health Insurance and to remind us to cherish this valuable resource. Welcome to tune in.
Interview Link: https://reurl.cc/vvzV9A
Date: October 18, 2024
Host: Wang Shurong
Guest: Former NHIA Director Lee Bochang (Director, Taipei Medical University Center for Health and Welfare Policy Research)
