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United Daily News / Reporters Zhan Jianfu, Liu Huimin / Taipei Report
February 25, 2009, 02:59 AM
The Taiwan Medical Reform Foundation pointed out that several domestic corporate hospitals have large amounts of idle social assistance funds, with Chang Gung Memorial Hospital accumulating nearly NT$1.5 billion. These hospitals should promptly utilize these funds to fulfill their social responsibilities and care for disadvantaged groups.
According to the Medical Care Act, corporate hospitals are required to allocate 10% of their annual medical surplus for social assistance. However, these funds remain unused. The Medical Reform Foundation specifically named Chang Gung Memorial Hospital as having the highest amount of idle funds. The hospital responded that the funds have been redirected to special projects and are not "allocated but unused." The Department of Health stated that if Chang Gung Hospital fails to meet the percentage required by the Medical Care Act in its financial reports or misuses the funds, it will be asked to provide a detailed explanation.
Zhang Liyun, Chairman of the Medical Reform Foundation, noted that the foundation discovered from hospital financial reports that 13 hospitals have accumulated up to NT$2 billion in medical social assistance funds, which could provide outpatient medical subsidies for two million low-income families. However, most corporate hospitals have left these funds unused.
Chang Gung Hospital explained that after the implementation of National Health Insurance, the number of cases requiring financial assistance and the amount of subsidies have significantly decreased, resulting in annual surpluses in social welfare funds. By 2006, the surplus reached NT$1.5 billion. Subsequently, the hospital applied to the Department of Health and proposed a special project in 2007 to use these funds for medical relief and community medical services.
The Department of Health also stated that if Chang Gung Hospital is found to have misused the funds, it will be required to provide a detailed explanation.
Source: http://udn. com/ NEWS/ HEALTH/ HEA1/ 4755261. shtml
Medical Reform Group Criticizes Unused Relief Funds; Chang Gung Defends
February 25, 2009, 02:59 AM
The Taiwan Medical Reform Foundation pointed out that several domestic corporate hospitals have large amounts of idle social assistance funds, with Chang Gung Memorial Hospital accumulating nearly NT$1.5 billion. These hospitals should promptly utilize these funds to fulfill their social responsibilities and care for disadvantaged groups.
According to the Medical Care Act, corporate hospitals are required to allocate 10% of their annual medical surplus for social assistance. However, these funds remain unused. The Medical Reform Foundation specifically named Chang Gung Memorial Hospital as having the highest amount of idle funds. The hospital responded that the funds have been redirected to special projects and are not "allocated but unused." The Department of Health stated that if Chang Gung Hospital fails to meet the percentage required by the Medical Care Act in its financial reports or misuses the funds, it will be asked to provide a detailed explanation.
Zhang Liyun, Chairman of the Medical Reform Foundation, noted that the foundation discovered from hospital financial reports that 13 hospitals have accumulated up to NT$2 billion in medical social assistance funds, which could provide outpatient medical subsidies for two million low-income families. However, most corporate hospitals have left these funds unused.
Chang Gung Hospital explained that after the implementation of National Health Insurance, the number of cases requiring financial assistance and the amount of subsidies have significantly decreased, resulting in annual surpluses in social welfare funds. By 2006, the surplus reached NT$1.5 billion. Subsequently, the hospital applied to the Department of Health and proposed a special project in 2007 to use these funds for medical relief and community medical services.
The Department of Health also stated that if Chang Gung Hospital is found to have misused the funds, it will be required to provide a detailed explanation.
Source: http://udn. com/ NEWS/ HEALTH/ HEA1/ 4755261. shtml