Voters in Da Nang, Lam Dong, Ca Mau, Ho Chi Minh City... in their petition sent before the 9th session of the 15th National Assembly mentioned the level of health insurance (HI) contributions and many petitions to consider expanding health insurance benefits for people.
Accordingly, Ca Mau voters reflected that the current health insurance contribution rate is too high compared to people's income, while the salary increase for cadres and civil servants is reasonable, but for many people, if their income does not increase, this increase will cause difficulties. Voters in Ho Chi Minh City are concerned about the increase in household health insurance contributions, affecting people, especially freelance workers and vulnerable groups.
Voters in localities proposed solutions to adjust the health insurance contribution level in accordance with practical life; consider not increasing the health insurance contribution level for people when implementing the adjustment to increase the basic salary and the State supports health insurance for people aged 60 and over, because currently the elderly with illnesses are increasing.
Minister: Current health insurance contribution rate is " Relatively low"
The Minister of Health said that the health insurance contribution rate is 4.5% of salary or pension, disability allowance, unemployment allowance or basic salary. With a relatively full scope of benefits, the Minister of Health said that the current health insurance contribution rate is assessed as " relatively low" compared to countries with similar development conditions.
From July 1, 2024, the basic salary is 2.34 million VND, an increase of 30%. "When the basic salary increases, the amount of money to be paid when people participate in health insurance by household also increases accordingly, somewhat affecting people's lives," the Minister of Health commented.
Currently, the contribution rate for the group participating in health insurance by household (self-paying group) is regulated as follows: The first person contributes 4.5% of the basic salary (1,263,600 VND/year, equivalent to more than 105,000 VND/month); The second, third, and fourth person contribute 70%, 60%, and 50% of the first person's contribution rate respectively; From the fifth person onwards, the contribution rate is 40% of the first person's contribution rate (505,440 VND/year, equivalent to 42,120 VND/month).
The Government also stipulates that based on the local budget capacity and other legal funding sources, the People's Committees at the provincial level submit to the People's Councils at the same level to decide on the level of health insurance payment support for subjects higher than the minimum support level and the level of health insurance payment support for subjects not entitled to the support level according to current regulations.
Assessing the possibility of expanding health insurance support policies for informal workers
Ca Mau voters' recommendation on the regulation of 2 different health insurance payment levels between people and civil servants, according to the Minister of Health, is "appropriate" and has been implemented since the Health Insurance Law was established. Accordingly, people pay health insurance according to the basic salary, while civil servants pay health insurance according to the monthly salary.
Voters' recommendations on health insurance support for the elderly aged 60 and over have also been considered in the process of building the rights of health insurance participants. Accordingly, if the subjects (including people aged 60 and over) are in difficulty, the local People's Committee will consider supporting both health insurance payment and health insurance examination and treatment costs.
Recognizing the proposal of voters in Ho Chi Minh City on adjusting the contribution level to suit the actual income of people, especially informal workers - a group with a limited participation in health insurance, Minister Dao Hong Lan said that the Ministry of Health will continue to coordinate to study and evaluate the possibility of expanding support policies.
"The development and implementation of support policies need to be balanced with budget capacity, salary reform roadmap and long-term sustainable development orientation of the Health Insurance Fund," said the Minister of Health.
Proposal to adjust the payment level for medical examination and treatment to 100% for retired cadres over 80 years old
An Giang voters proposed to consider allowing retired cadres who are 80 years old to receive 100% of medical examination and treatment costs within the scope of payment under the Law on Health Insurance as for the elderly as stipulated in Clause 5, Article 5 of Decree No. 20/2021 of the Government.
Responding to this issue, the Minister of Health said that according to the provisions of the Law on Health Insurance (amended), monthly social allowance beneficiaries will be paid 100% of medical examination and treatment costs by the Health Insurance Fund within the scope of benefits and benefits.
The Minister "recognizes and shares voters' wishes" on the proposal to consider allowing retired cadres who are 80 years old to receive 100% of medical examination and treatment costs within the scope and level of benefits for retired cadres - a group of subjects with monthly pensions.
However, in the current period, adjusting the payment level to 100% for the group of retired cadres needs to be carefully studied and evaluated to ensure the ability to balance the Health Insurance Fund and maintain stability in social security policies.
