Proposal to remove the regulation that schools collect money to buy health insurance for students

Kinhtedothi - National Assembly delegates said that in order for teachers to focus on teaching, the drafting agency should consider removing the regulation that schools collect health insurance (HI) fees for students.

Continuing the 8th Session Program, on the afternoon of October 31, the National Assembly discussed in the hall the Draft Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Health Insurance.

Delegates attending the discussion session on the afternoon of October 31 - Photo: Quochoi.vn

Speaking at the discussion, National Assembly delegate Tran Thi Thu Hang (National Assembly delegation of Dak Nong province) said that in order to be consistent with the 2024 Law on Social Insurance, the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment and other relevant laws; and at the same time overcome urgent shortcomings and limitations of the current law, it is necessary to submit the draft Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Health Insurance for the National Assembly to comment and approve according to the one-session process.

Commenting on the specific content of the Draft Law, delegate Tran Thi Thu Hang stated that in order for teachers to focus on teaching, to return teachers to their proper positions so that they can devote their time and passion to the noble profession, she suggested that the drafting agency study and evaluate to amend Article 7b on the responsibilities of the Ministry of Education and Training according to the provisions of the current Law on Health Insurance and related regulations, in the direction of removing the regulation that schools collect money to carry out procedures to buy health insurance for students.

National Assembly Delegate Tran Thi Thu Hang (National Assembly Delegation of Dak Nong Province) - Photo: Quochoi.vn

Instead, this responsibility is assigned to local authorities and insurance agencies. Schools are only responsible for providing a list of students to the insurance agency and disseminating and promoting information to parents and students about purchasing health insurance.

National Assembly Delegate Chau Quynh Dao (National Assembly Delegation of Kien Giang Province) expressed her excitement that the Drafting Committee had listened to the voters’ thoughts and aspirations regarding this Draft Law. Many provisions of the Draft Law have been accepted and amended in a way that benefits the people, such as expanding the beneficiaries of policies that are paid for or supported by the State.

Concerned about the goal of achieving universal health insurance coverage soon, delegate Chau Quynh Dao gave her opinion on the issue of health insurance participants for students. The delegate proposed to abolish point d, clause 6, article 13 of the Draft Law: "In case the health insurance participants are specified in clause 4, Article 12, and at the same time, the subjects specified in point a, clause 5, Article 12 of this Law are required to choose the appropriate payment subjects", meaning that the draft Law opens up for students to pay according to the group of households or students at school.

National Assembly Delegate Nguyen Thi Thu Dung (National Assembly Delegation of Thai Binh Province) - Photo: Quochoi.vn

The delegate said that the contribution rate for students is equal to 4.6% of the basic salary. With this contribution rate, the majority of voters believe that it is still high compared to their income. Therefore, delegate Chau Quynh Dao suggested that the Drafting Committee consider keeping it according to the current regulations.

At the same time, delegates recommended that the State continue to increase the minimum State budget support level to 50% for students participating in health insurance. Because this is one of the very important premises towards achieving the goal of universal health insurance coverage.

Also concerned about the issue of health insurance for students, National Assembly delegate Nguyen Thi Thu Dung (National Assembly delegation of Thai Binh province) proposed to increase the support level to 50% and pay according to the educational institution without allowing the choice of payment method. This will lead to the remaining 2.8% of students who have not participated to participate in health insurance.

Source: https://kinhtedothi.vn/de-xuat-bo-quy-dinh-truong-hoc-thu-tien-de-mua-bhyt-cho-hoc-sinh.html