Brian Jeffrey
Discussions on New Healthcare Law
On September 25, the National Assembly Standing Committee engaged in conversations regarding a new draft healthcare law.
Health Minister Dao Hong Lan highlighted that the proposed legislation aims to streamline administrative procedures in medical services. This includes minimizing paperwork, enhancing the use of technology, and empowering local agencies, ultimately making the system more user-friendly for the public and healthcare providers.
The draft law incorporates updates related to medical services at various hospital tiers, in line with the latest standards from the 2023 Law on Medical Examination and Treatment, while ensuring that current health insurance benefits remain unchanged.
A significant aspect of the proposal is a provision allowing patients with terminal illnesses to directly access top-tier hospitals without needing referrals from lower-tier facilities. This change is expected to simplify the process for patients and reduce their out-of-pocket expenses.
Moreover, the law introduces a decentralization of responsibilities to local health departments, specifies which facilities are authorized for initial medical examination registrations, and ensures a fair distribution of health insurance cards.
Nguyen Thuy Anh, Chair of the National Assembly’s Social Affairs Committee, advised that the principles of existing regulations regarding initial medical consults be preserved. However, she emphasized the necessity to structure the laws to avoid misuse and corrupt practices.
A critical challenge related to the enforcement of health insurance policies pertains to the conflict between medical facilities and insurance inspection bodies about the justification of medical service provision. Some experts question the capability of social insurance agencies in executing effective inspections and advocate for a reevaluation of health insurance oversight definitions within the existing law.
Tran Thanh Man, the National Assembly chair, underscored the importance of formulating regulations that guarantee equitable treatment for both self-paying patients and those covered by health insurance.
