Da Nang voters proposed that the Ministry of Health strengthen solutions to control the prices of medical services, medicines, medical supplies and medical examination and treatment costs in a public, transparent and affordable manner.
Strictly control medical service and drug prices
According to Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan, medical examination and treatment service prices directly affect the healthcare costs of people, the HI Fund and the economy. Therefore, price adjustments are implemented according to a roadmap, with an assessment of impact on people's lives, affordability and balancing capacity of the HI Fund.
The Ministry of Health coordinates with relevant ministries and sectors to monitor the price situation, thereby proposing appropriate adjustment times, limiting impacts on people and contributing to the implementation of the goal of universal health insurance.
Implementing the Prime Minister's direction on price stabilization, in April 2026, the Ministry of Health requested localities, hospitals and businesses trading in drugs and medical equipment to strengthen price management.
Units must declare, list and publicize prices; inspect the compliance with regulations on prices and promptly handle cases of unreasonable price increases, incorrect collections or incomplete disclosure of medical examination and treatment costs.
Do not let health insurance patients have to pay money against regulations
Regarding the proposal on the situation of "serviceization" at public hospitals, the Ministry of Health affirmed that health insurance patients must be treated equally and not required to self-pay expenses within the scope of health insurance benefits.
On-demand medical examination and treatment services at public hospitals must be based on the voluntary contribution of patients, and must not affect the provision of health insurance services.
The Ministry of Health also requires medical facilities to clearly disclose the amounts patients must pay. In case of using services on request, patients need to be fully informed about the costs before choosing.
Regulations on medicines, medical supplies and technical services of HI are also being improved in the direction of helping patients access necessary services, including high-tech and expensive medicines and supplies, suitable to their medical condition and scope of benefits.
Notably, on August 3, 2026, the Ministry of Health issued Official Dispatch 5766 on ensuring the rights of health insurance patients. The Ministry requests medical examination and treatment facilities to rectify the situation where people go for health insurance examinations in accordance with regulations but still have to pay additional amounts outside the co-payment portion.
The Ministry of Health said it will continue to inspect and supervise the implementation of health insurance policies, service prices, and the supply of medicines and medical supplies; handle cases of improper collection or allowing health insurance patients to pay their own amounts within the scope of benefits.
In the coming time, the Ministry of Health will continue to coordinate with ministries and sectors to review health financial policies and health insurance, gradually expand health insurance benefits in accordance with the balancing capacity of the Health Insurance Fund, thereby reducing health costs directly from people's own pockets.
