TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Premier Chen Chien-jen confirmed Thursday (March 7) that he has asked the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) and the Fair Trade Commission to coordinate with local governments on preventing price collusion in medical institutions.
Chen emphasized the government's commitment to monitoring and safeguarding health rights equality, aiming to protect underprivileged populations' healthcare rights and maintain citizens' accessibility to medical services.
On Tuesday (March 5), the MOHW announced the cancellation of an upper limit for registration fees at medical clinics. Clinics are now permitted to adjust their prices according to market mechanisms. Price hikes will no longer require a report to the Department of Health.
Reports indicate that some medical institutions have adjusted their registration fees, with prices ranging from NT＄170 to NT＄500.
Minister of Health and Welfare Hsueh Jui-yuan confirmed that the Fair Trade Commission would intervene in the investigation if price collusion occurs.