KMT Caucus Demands Immediate Implementation of Supporting Measures for Nurse-Patient Ratio Law to Take Effect in 2 Years

Central News Agency (Reporter Liu Guan-ting, Taipei, 10th) The KMT legislative caucus today stated that the legislation of the nurse-patient ratio, scheduled to take effect in May 2028, is a standard "delaying tactic and technical obstruction." They demanded the immediate launch of substantive supporting measures for the nurse-patient ratio law, vowing not to allow the DPP government to continue bullying frontline medical staff with delaying tactics. The Legislative Yuan passed the third reading of amendments to parts of the Medical Care Act on the 8th, officially legislating the nurse-patient ratio. Minister of Health and Welfare, Shih Chung-liang, subsequently explained that nursing groups hoped for implementation in December 2027, but after considering factors such as year-end and long Lunar New Year holidays, it is now expected to be implemented on May 1, 2028. Regarding the legislation of the nurse-patient ratio, the KMT caucus issued a press release this afternoon stating that President Lai Ching-te made promises before the election, but all were broken after the election. The legislation of the nurse-patient ratio is a long-standing demand of nursing personnel. President Lai publicly promised during his campaign, but after his election, the Executive Yuan and the Ministry of Health and Welfare took the lead in opposing it. As a president from the medical field, he chose to remain silent in the face of the anger of frontline medical staff, betraying the trust of the people. The KMT caucus stated that delaying implementation until 2028 is to cover up administrative negligence. Regarding the Executive Yuan's statement that the bill will only take effect in 2028, this is a standard "delaying tactic and technical obstruction." The crisis of nursing talent outflow is imminent. Instead of actively raising budgets and improving medical labor conditions to supplement manpower, the government uses this as an excuse to delay the implementation of the bill, which is essentially using patient safety and nurses' health as a cover for administrative negligence. The KMT caucus stated that they will stop slandering the nursing community and provide substantive supporting measures. KMT legislators had already proposed practical amendment versions, but the ruling party not only failed to propose its own version but also allowed online trolls to attack the nurses' union after the bill passed. The KMT caucus finds such actions despicable. The KMT caucus emphasized that if medical staff are not supported today, who will protect the health of the people tomorrow? The KMT caucus extends its highest respect to nursing personnel and the Taiwan Nurses' Medical Industry Union for their tireless dedication to patients day and night. They strongly condemn the government's illegal act of unilaterally setting a "sunrise clause" for the nurse-patient ratio, expanding its own power, despite the demand for immediate implementation of the amendment. The KMT caucus stated that it will strongly supervise and demand the immediate launch of substantive supporting measures for the nurse-patient ratio law, and will never allow the government to continue bullying frontline medical staff with delaying tactics. (Editors: Su Chih-tsung, Lin Ke-lun) 1150510. Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship is a force to protect press freedom. Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news. The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.