Taipei: Incoming Health Minister Shih Chung-liang stated on Thursday that addressing emergency room (ER) overcrowding will be a primary focus once he assumes office next week. He also indicated that the probability of a National Health Insurance (NHI) premium hike next year is "very low."
According to Focus Taiwan, Shih, who currently holds the position of National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA) director-general, will take over from Chiu Tai-yuan as part of a Cabinet reshuffle announced on Wednesday. During a news conference in Taipei, Shih emphasized, "In terms of medical resilience, our top priority is, of course, to address the overcrowding in ERs."
He explained that persistent overcrowding in ERs undermines resilience, noting that during crises, the medical sector's capacity is stretched too thin, leaving inadequate "surge capacity" for effective responses.
Local Chinese-language media outlet mnews reported on August 18, citing the Legislature's latest investigation, that in the first quarter of 2025, 77,000 patients experienced waits exceeding 24 hours in ERs before admission, accounting for 3.75 percent of emergency admissions, an increase from approximately 3.32 percent in 2023. The report warned that if not addressed, the annual number of such cases could exceed 300,000.
To expedite bed turnover and facilitate faster admission of ER patients, Shih announced plans to implement the early supported discharge (ESD) model, allowing stabilized patients to transition to home or outpatient care sooner.
Shih highlighted that approximately 80 percent of ER cases are minor and do not necessitate hospitalization. "But when these patients with minor conditions flood ERs, it still adds to the workload of medical staff and affects the efficiency of care," he remarked.
As an emergency physician by profession, Shih underscored the importance of diverting patients from overcrowded ERs, particularly during holidays when most community clinics remain closed.
To tackle this issue, he plans to advocate for Urgent Care Centers (UCCs) to operate during holidays, managing "urgent but not critical" conditions such as wound suturing and common pediatric problems. The NHIA announced in late July that UCC pilot programs could commence as early as October in Taiwan's six special municipalities, offering patients a lower co-payment compared to the NT$750 (US$24.56) charged at medical center ERs.
"In the future, we will also encourage some community clinics to open on holidays by offering incentives to help divert patients from ERs," Shih added.
When questioned about potential NHI premium increases during his tenure, Shih expressed uncertainty. "If I were only in office for a year, I could say they would not be raised," he stated. "But I do not know how long I will serve, so I cannot easily promise what will not be done during my term -- what I can say is what I will do while in office."
He mentioned that the current financial condition of the NHI is stable, with a projected surplus by year-end that exceeds one month's "reserve fund," ensuring system stability. "Based on the objective data, the chance of a premium increase next year is very low," Shih concluded.