Taiwan’s National Health Insurance is a single payer system established in 1995. At its planning stage in the late 1980s it had looked to Canada, among other nations, for insights on how to implement a universal health coverage scheme. Insurance coverage in Taiwan is universal and the system has been able to maintain overall health spending as a percent of GDP that is considerably lower than the average for OECD nations, and at the same time meet the health care needs of its population without the often seen challenges to single payer systems such as long waiting times. The presentation discusses how Taiwan’s single-payer health system works, what are its strengths and weaknesses, and challenges going forward. Where possible, some comparisons with Canada’s health system are included.

Tsung-Mei Cheng

Health Policy Research Analyst at the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University