Taiwan's Legislature Passes Medical Act Amendments, Offering Tax Breaks for Remote Healthcare Workers

Taiwan's Legislative Yuan has passed amendments to the "Medical Act," introducing significant changes aimed at bolstering protections for healthcare professionals and safeguarding patient privacy. The legislative move, announced by Legislative Yuan Speaker Han Kuo-yu, received a third reading today.

A key provision of the revised act offers a 10-year tax exemption on incentive bonuses for medical personnel practicing in remote areas. This measure seeks to encourage healthcare professionals to serve in underserved regions, addressing disparities in medical access.

The amendments also broaden the definition of medical violence to include all personnel within medical institutions, not just medical professionals. Penalties for such offenses will be increased. Furthermore, the new law strengthens patient privacy protections by incorporating "criminal code" provisions related to the obstruction of secrets into the "Medical Act," enhancing enforcement and penalties.

Additional revisions include clarifying governance for medical corporations, requiring them to allocate 10% of their surplus profits for employee benefits and quality improvement. Medical advertising regulations have also been updated, restricting physicians to advertising only at their registered practice locations. The revised "Medical Act" will take effect after promulgation by the President.

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This "Medical Act" amendment focuses on responding to recent social conditions and safeguarding needs. It expands the scope of protection against medical violence to personnel belonging to medical institutions and also strengthens patient privacy protection. Furthermore, incentive bonuses for medical personnel practicing in remote areas will be tax-exempt for 10 years.