Wu Den-yih, head of the Executive Yuan, continued efforts yesterday to retain "Health Minister" Yaung Chih-liang, who resigned Monday over a disagreement on how to improve the public health insurance system's (NHI) financial solvency.

"The issue can be resolved, and people should not leave rashly," the "premier" said, characterizing the dispute as simply a difference of opinion over whether a tiered or single premium rate system should be adopted.

Praising Yaung as an outstanding government official eager to fulfill his responsibility over the past six months, Wu said at a legislative hearing that he asked Yaung not to follow through on his intent to step down immediately after learning of his resignation.

According to Wu, Yaung insisted on maintaining a single rate system, under which only 59 percent of the population would be exempt from premium hikes, while the rest of the insured would have to pay an extra NT$97 per month on average for their premiums.

China Daily/CNA

(HK Edition 03/10/2010 page4)