Striving for Third Reading of Medical Act on Nurse-Patient Ratio: Taiwan People's Party Legislators Hold Overnight Vigil at Legislature

(Central News Agency reporter Chen Chun-hua, Taipei, 7th) Taiwan People's Party Chairman Huang Kuo-chang stated this evening that the party's legislators have been taking shifts outside the Legislative Yuan chamber since noon, with a clear goal: to ensure the smooth third reading and passage of the amendment to the Medical Act concerning the "three shifts nurse-patient ratio." Regarding the special national defense budget bill, he affirmed support for any items with a Letter of Offer and Acceptance from the US side that are needed for Taiwan's national defense.

The ruling and opposition party caucuses held four consultations on the special national defense budget bill, but failed to reach a consensus on articles such as procurement items and allocated amounts. Legislative Yuan President Han Kuo-yu announced on the 6th that it would be handled according to regulations. As the bill has exceeded the one-month negotiation cooling-off period, it is not ruled out that the special national defense budget bill will be handled in tomorrow's Legislative Yuan session.

Taiwan People's Party legislators have been taking shifts outside the main entrance of the Legislative Yuan chamber since noon today, and conducted a live broadcast this evening to explain their actions. Caucus whip Chen Ching-lung said that the vigil was to prioritize the Medical Act amendment on the "three shifts nurse-patient ratio" as the first item on the agenda for tomorrow's Legislative Yuan session. He described this as a commitment from the People's Party, hoping for a smooth third reading, calling it the greatest gift for "Nurses' Day."

Huang Kuo-chang also visited the scene around 10 PM to check on the legislators. He said that the legislators' goal for the overnight vigil was clear: to have the Medical Act amendment ranked as the first item tomorrow and to pass its third reading. He expressed anticipation for the smooth third reading of the Medical Act tomorrow.

Regarding the special national defense budget bill, Huang Kuo-chang said that he had received many calls over the past 48 hours. He reiterated that the People's Party would adhere to its original stance: as long as there is a Letter of Offer and Acceptance from the US side and it is needed for Taiwan's national defense, they will definitely support it. Other items should revert to the general budget, and the People's Party caucus will diligently supervise it.

Concerning the wording of tomorrow's bill, Huang Kuo-chang said that the legal text would not be very complex, but quite straightforward, simply putting into words the principles the People's Party has consistently advocated. When asked whether the allocated budget amount would be revised to NT$800 billion, he stated, "The number is never the focus; the focus is what to buy." He emphasized that necessary items should be factually budgeted, and expressed confidence that the special national defense budget bill could be smoothly completed tomorrow.

Speaking of his recent meeting with Kuomintang Chairman Cheng Li-wen, Huang Kuo-chang stated that through rational communication and discussion at this critical moment, unnecessary misunderstandings and conflicts could be avoided, achieving the common goals of the majority of opposition legislators, while also responding to the public's expectations of the opposition parties. He believes that every Taiwanese person supports national defense, and if NT$1.25 trillion cannot be cut at all, then the Democratic Progressive Party is truly treating the people as fools.

Huang Kuo-chang said that it is normal for opposition parties and within the same party to have different views on issues, and there is no need to interpret it as conflicts between individuals. Everyone's principles are the same: for items needed for Taiwan's national defense, "if there is a Letter of Offer and Acceptance, a budget will be allocated, and we will support it." By adhering to this principle, other versions might simply differ in their expression or legislative techniques, but fundamentally there is not much difference. (Editor: Lin Ke-lun) 1150507

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