Using private finance to reform healthcare – Taiwan Focus

Taiwan's early welfare policies were based on an informal social support system. The legal system played only a supplemental role. Since 1990, Taiwan society has seen gradual economic development and has evolved into a mature modern democracy. To establish a system of social welfare programmes for long-term care, the Taiwan government has been propagating related policies for approximately 10 years. The government has passed various acts for disadvantaged social groups including: People with Disabilities Rights Protection Act, the Senior Citizens Welfare Act, and the Nursing Staff Act. Several long-term care related policies have been proposed that are directed mainly at low-middle to low-income families or solitary senior citizens. They are: Enhance Elderly Services and Care Act, 1998-2007, 3-Year Program of Elderly Long-Term Care, 1998, New Era Health Care Program, 2001-2005, Pioneer Project of Construction of Long-Term Care Project, 2000-2003 and Provide Nursing Service and Its Industry Development Plan, 2002-2007.