Premier Lin Chuan says the government will choose some locations around the country for trials of its long-term care initiative, dubbed “Long-term Care 2.0.”
Cabinet spokesperson Tung Chen-yuan said the pilot scheme would begin before the end of the year.
"The premier said he hoped the health and welfare ministry will choose cities and counties before the end of the year. Each city and county should have at least one trial location to serve as a reference point," said Tung. "From next year we should gradually expand so that in one to two years we can roll out the scheme across the whole country."
The premier said the establishment of a long-term care industry will require training up personnel. It would also need standardized and regulated service systems.
Premier Lin also said that a universal long-term care system would require designated sources of income that may not rely on ordinary taxes alone.