This proposal was outlined in a report submitted by the Ho Chi Minh City Social Security agency to the City Party Committee. The report addresses solutions for implementing social and health insurance policies within the city. It suggests using the most comprehensive support policy from the three pre-merger localities (Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, and Ba Ria - Vung Tau) as the foundation for a new resolution.
The proposal suggests the city cover the entire cost of health insurance for residents aged 60 to 74 who are not retired or otherwise covered by the state budget.
Additional proposed support includes coverage for individuals with serious illnesses; those unemployed for three months after unemployment benefits expire; orphans and those with mild disabilities; partial support for poor and near-poor students; and full coverage of voluntary social insurance for local security forces.
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People exercising in Tao Dan Park, Ben Thanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Quynh Tran |
People exercising in Tao Dan Park, Ben Thanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Quynh Tran
These new policies are expected to be presented to the Ho Chi Minh City People's Council at the end of the year. If approved, over 2.85 million residents will benefit, with an estimated annual cost of 1,590 billion VND.
Currently, post-merger Ho Chi Minh City still applies three different support resolutions based on residency: The former Ho Chi Minh City provided full health insurance coverage for residents aged 75 and above in poor and near-poor households in Can Gio; those with serious illnesses; abandoned orphans; and children with mild disabilities aged 6 to 16. Poor students received 70% support for health insurance premiums.
The former Ba Ria - Vung Tau province covered all health insurance costs for those 65 and older, as well as the poor and newly escaped poverty. It also provided additional support for medical examination and treatment, travel, and meal expenses. Students received 50% support for their health insurance premiums.
The former Binh Duong province offered full health insurance coverage for people aged 70 and above; ethnic minorities; those unemployed after their benefits expired; and individuals who had escaped poverty within the past two years.
All three localities provided full support for voluntary social insurance and health insurance for local security and order forces.
After the merger, Ho Chi Minh City now encompasses over 6,700 km2 and a population of approximately 14 million. The city aims to achieve 57% social insurance participation among the workforce and 95% health insurance coverage by 2025.
Le Tuyet
