Decision No. 117/2008/QĐ-TTg On adjusting the contribution rate for health insurance for social policy beneficiaries

Pursuant to …;

Regarding adjustment of health insurance contribution rates for social policy beneficiaries

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PRIME MINISTER

Pursuant to the Law on Organization of the Government dated December 25, 2001;

Pursuant to Decree No. 63/2005/NĐ-CP dated May 16, 2005 of the Government promulgating the Health Insurance Regulations;

Pursuant to Resolution No. 10/2008/NQ-CP dated April 17, 2008 of the Government on measures to control inflation, stabilize macroeconomic conditions, ensure social security, and achieve sustainable growth;

Considering the proposal of the Minister of Finance,

DECISION:

Article 1. Adjust the monthly health insurance contribution rate for social policy beneficiaries to 3% of the national minimum wage, including:

1. Individuals eligible for medical examination and treatment as stipulated in Article 2 of Decision No. 139/2002/QĐ-TTg dated October 15, 2002 of the Prime Minister on medical examination and treatment for the poor.

2. Ethnic minority groups residing in certain regions pursuant to Decisions No.: 24/2008/QĐ-TTg, No. 25/2008/QĐ-TTg, No. 26/2008/QĐ-TTg, and No. 27/2008/QĐ-TTg dated February 5, 2008 of the Prime Minister on issuing certain mechanisms and policies to support economic and social development in the North Central Coast and Central Coast regions, the Central Highlands, the Mekong Delta, and the Midland and Northern Mountainous region until 2010.

3. Elderly individuals aged 85 years and above without pension or social insurance benefits.

4. Members of near-poor households with average per capita income not exceeding 130% of the average per capita income of poor households as defined by law.

Article 2. The State budget shall ensure funding for health insurance contributions for the subjects specified in Clauses 1, 2, and 3 of Article 1 and provide at least 50% funding for health insurance contributions for the subject specified in Clause 4 of Article 1 of this Decision.

Article 3. The source of funds to implement the provisions of Article 2 of this Decision

1. The central government budget will cover 100% of the costs for localities that have not yet achieved fiscal self-sufficiency.

2. The central government budget will cover 50% of the costs for localities with a redistribution ratio of revenue sharing below 50%, including: Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, Vinh Phuc, Da Nang, Khanh Hoa, Can Tho.

3. The remaining localities will allocate from their local budgets

Article 4. Implementation

1. The Chairperson of the People's Committee of provinces and centrally governed cities shall be responsible for allocating local budgets according to the provisions of Clauses 2 and 3 of Article 3; organizing implementation and supervising the implementation of the adjustment of health insurance contribution rates for social policy beneficiaries as prescribed in this Decision.

2. The Ministry of Finance shall be responsible for balancing and allocating the central government budget to support localities according to the provisions of Clauses 1 and 2 of Article 3 to implement the policy of supporting health insurance contribution rates for social policy beneficiaries as prescribed in this Decision; using the central government budget reserve for 2008 to supplement localities.

3. The Ministry of Health shall take the lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs to guide the implementation of medical examination and treatment and rights in medical examination and treatment for members of near-poor households.

4. The Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs shall be responsible for guiding provinces and centrally governed cities to organize the identification of near-poor households as prescribed in this Decision.

Article 5. This Decision takes effect from October 1, 2008. All previous regulations contrary to the provisions of this Decision are hereby abolished.

Article 6. THE MINISTERS, HEADS OF GOVERNMENT-LEVEL MINISTRIES, HEADS OF GOVERNMENT-LEVEL AGENCIES, AND CHAIRMEN OF PROVINCE AND CITY PEOPLE'S COMMITTEES DIRECTLY UNDER THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENFORCING THIS DECISION./.