CaliToday (02/12/2025): The Vietnamese National Assembly is currently heating up with debates surrounding a suite of breakthrough solutions for the national healthcare system. In what legislators are calling a "transformative vision" for social welfare, the spotlight is on a bold proposal to implement free basic hospital fees for the entire population, with a roadmap set to commence in 2030.
The "Zero-Fee" Ambition
At the heart of the discussion is the goal to move Vietnam toward a truly Universal Health Coverage model that minimizes out-of-pocket expenses for citizens.
The Proposal: By 2030, the state aims to waive "basic medical examination and treatment fees" at public health facilities for all residents.
The Shift: This marks a significant pivot from the current "co-payment" model to a state-guaranteed welfare model. Proponents argue that this will reduce the poverty trap caused by catastrophic health expenditures, particularly for low-income families in rural areas.
Revolutionizing Health Insurance (BHYT)
Running parallel to the 2030 roadmap is an immediate push to upgrade the current Health Insurance framework. Lawmakers are addressing long-standing public grievances regarding coverage limits.
Key enhancements currently under review include:
Expanded Drug List: Widening the portfolio of insurance-covered medications, including newer, high-cost specialized drugs for cancer and chronic diseases.
Removing Administrative Barriers: Simplifying the "referral" (chuyển tuyến) system, allowing patients easier access to central-level hospitals without navigating complex bureaucratic hurdles.
Preventive Care: Shifting the insurance focus from solely "treating sickness" to "preventing sickness" by covering regular health screenings.
The Debate: Funding and Feasibility
While the proposals have been met with widespread public enthusiasm, the session also focused on the pragmatic challenge: Funding.
Legislative Insight: "To achieve free basic healthcare by 2030, we cannot rely solely on the current budget. We must restructure public spending and digitize hospital management to cut waste," noted a delegate during the morning session.
The Ministry of Health is expected to present a detailed financial impact assessment later this week, outlining how the digitalization of health records and AI integration in hospitals will help offset costs.
The Bigger Picture
If passed, this policy would place Vietnam among the leading nations in Southeast Asia regarding social security infrastructure, directly supporting the country's goal of becoming a high-middle-income nation with a high quality of life by 2045.