Long-Term Care Payment Reform Proposal Passes Threshold, Aiming for Wage Hikes and Retention

A proposal to increase long-term care payments to retain talent has passed the threshold on the Public Policy Participation Platform. The proposer suggests raising the payment standards for home care (B-code) and respite care (G-code) and establishing a regular review mechanism linked to inflation or minimum wage adjustments. The proposer argues that current fixed payments are insufficient to cover rising costs, leading to a loss of experienced staff to other industries. Wu Hsi-wen, Deputy Director of the Long-Term Care Department at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, stated that adjusting service payments involves complex considerations, including resource allocation, service costs, and fiscal impact. The Ministry will review the regulations through expert committees while exploring the use of smart technology to reduce the burden on care workers.