Clipping Board » Medical Affairs and Administration ─ Medical system, pharmaceuticals, and medical community-related reports
【Central News Agency / Taipei, April 18, 2012】
CNN recently visited Taiwan to film a special report on the National Health Insurance (NHI) system. At the same time, a practicing nurse in Taiwan proactively submitted an article to CNN's iReport, which was published. While the NHI system ensures universal coverage, it overlooks the challenges faced by healthcare workers.
The Department of Health expressed gratitude to CNN for its special report on Taiwan's NHI system, comparing it with the healthcare systems of the UK and Switzerland. The report explored how Taiwan's experience could help reform the U.S. healthcare system.
The Department of Health noted that the report mentioned the UK's high tax rates funding its massive healthcare expenses, along with excessively long waiting times. Switzerland's healthcare spending accounts for 11% of its GDP. Under Taiwan's NHI system, medical services are affordable and cover the entire population.
In the U.S., healthcare spending accounts for 17% of GDP, higher than in other countries. Yet, the average life expectancy, infant mortality rate, and patient satisfaction in the U.S. lag behind other nations. CNN believes Taiwan offers an important learning opportunity.
Meanwhile, frontline nurse Maggie Lin courageously spoke out, submitting an article titled "The Dark Moment of Nurses in Taiwan" to CNN's iReport, which was published.
Lin stated in an interview that her motivation for writing was the worsening nurse shortage and the continued existence of "blood-and-sweat hospitals." While Taiwan's NHI system is a source of global pride—even praised by CNN—the public's pride overlooks the struggles faced by medical institutions.
The article highlights how changes in the nursing work environment have plunged nurses into a dark period. The NHI system has created a seemingly flawless healthcare model where the public pays low premiums for top-tier treatment and care. However, this has led to severe staffing shortages in hospitals—a reality the government refuses to confront.
Lin explained that the nursing profession has been deteriorating, with low wages, excessive overtime, and poor nurse-to-patient ratios. The shortage means nurses have no right to fall ill, and it's common to see them working while hooked to IV drips or battling illness. Many work overtime without proper compensation or leave, and some hospitals illegally use unreasonable hourly wages to "buy" days off.
Control Yuan member Yin Tzu-chien remarked that the all-you-can-eat NHI system, coupled with the public's "use it or lose it" mentality and hospitals exploiting healthcare workers, has led to today's "blood-and-sweat hospitals." She sighed helplessly, noting that NHI premiums cannot be raised indefinitely. "There's no such thing as a free lunch," she warned. If this continues, the NHI system may one day collapse.
Source: http://udn. com/ NEWS/ NATIONAL/ NATS6/ 7035519. shtml#ixzz1sMSdQcir
Nurse Submits to CNN, Complains about Sweatshop Hospitals
CNN recently visited Taiwan to film a special report on the National Health Insurance (NHI) system. At the same time, a practicing nurse in Taiwan proactively submitted an article to CNN's iReport, which was published. While the NHI system ensures universal coverage, it overlooks the challenges faced by healthcare workers.
The Department of Health expressed gratitude to CNN for its special report on Taiwan's NHI system, comparing it with the healthcare systems of the UK and Switzerland. The report explored how Taiwan's experience could help reform the U.S. healthcare system.
The Department of Health noted that the report mentioned the UK's high tax rates funding its massive healthcare expenses, along with excessively long waiting times. Switzerland's healthcare spending accounts for 11% of its GDP. Under Taiwan's NHI system, medical services are affordable and cover the entire population.
In the U.S., healthcare spending accounts for 17% of GDP, higher than in other countries. Yet, the average life expectancy, infant mortality rate, and patient satisfaction in the U.S. lag behind other nations. CNN believes Taiwan offers an important learning opportunity.
Meanwhile, frontline nurse Maggie Lin courageously spoke out, submitting an article titled "The Dark Moment of Nurses in Taiwan" to CNN's iReport, which was published.
Lin stated in an interview that her motivation for writing was the worsening nurse shortage and the continued existence of "blood-and-sweat hospitals." While Taiwan's NHI system is a source of global pride—even praised by CNN—the public's pride overlooks the struggles faced by medical institutions.
The article highlights how changes in the nursing work environment have plunged nurses into a dark period. The NHI system has created a seemingly flawless healthcare model where the public pays low premiums for top-tier treatment and care. However, this has led to severe staffing shortages in hospitals—a reality the government refuses to confront.
Lin explained that the nursing profession has been deteriorating, with low wages, excessive overtime, and poor nurse-to-patient ratios. The shortage means nurses have no right to fall ill, and it's common to see them working while hooked to IV drips or battling illness. Many work overtime without proper compensation or leave, and some hospitals illegally use unreasonable hourly wages to "buy" days off.
Control Yuan member Yin Tzu-chien remarked that the all-you-can-eat NHI system, coupled with the public's "use it or lose it" mentality and hospitals exploiting healthcare workers, has led to today's "blood-and-sweat hospitals." She sighed helplessly, noting that NHI premiums cannot be raised indefinitely. "There's no such thing as a free lunch," she warned. If this continues, the NHI system may one day collapse.
Source: http://udn. com/ NEWS/ NATIONAL/ NATS6/ 7035519. shtml#ixzz1sMSdQcir