Reported 12 months ago
On July 1, 2024, Democratic Progressive Party legislator Lin Shu-fen exposed a hospital allegedly charging $6000 for preferred bed placement, raising concerns about the public healthcare system becoming marginalized as private systems grow. Minister of Health and Welfare, Chen Shih-chung, promised further investigation. This controversy stems from the cancellation of the reference range for registration fees by the Department of Health earlier this year, allowing hospitals to raise rates without approval. Lin criticized Chen for seemingly not being in touch with reality when discussing clinic fees. She also revealed instances of hospitals offering preferential treatment for exorbitant fees, highlighting concerns about the collapsing national healthcare system.
Source: YAHOO