Present to the National Assembly a series of practical policies to reduce the medical burden on the people

On the morning of November 17, under the authorization of the Prime Minister, Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan submitted to the National Assembly a draft Resolution on a number of breakthrough mechanisms and policies to strengthen the work of protecting, caring for and improving people's health.

From free health check-ups to 100% subsidies

At the meeting, Minister Dao Hong Lan said that the drafting of the Resolution is based on Section 1, Part IV of Resolution No. 72-NQ/TW dated September 9, 2025 of the Politburo on breakthrough solutions in the health sector, while implementing the provisions of the Law on Promulgation of Legal Documents 2025 (amended and supplemented). On that basis, the Government will submit to the National Assembly for consideration and decision on new mechanisms and policies to create a legal corridor for implementation in the coming time.

One of the important contents is the group of policies to reduce medical costs for people. According to the proposal, from 2026, people will be given free periodic health check-ups at least once a year according to each group of subjects and priority roadmap. This is a new policy of the Party, which needs to be specifically regulated by the National Assembly to ensure legality and compliance with the authority stated in Article 5 of the Law on the Organization of the National Assembly.

The Government also proposed a roadmap for free hospitalisation at the basic level within the scope of health insurance benefits, in line with socio-economic development conditions. Along with that is the proposal to pilot the diversification of health insurance packages and develop supplementary health insurance according to people's needs. These contents are not currently included in the Health Insurance Law and need to be specified by the National Assembly.

Regarding the salary and allowance policy for medical staff , Minister Dao Hong Lan emphasized the implementation in the spirit of Resolution 72-NQ/TW. Accordingly, the Government has not yet proposed to expand to other specific groups, but focuses on regulating the regime for the subjects clearly stated in the Resolution, and at the same time assigns the Government to provide detailed instructions.

Regarding the policy group on specialized training in the health sector, the Government proposed to add regulations on specialized postgraduate training in the national education system managed by the Ministry of Health. This content will be included in the draft Law on Education (amended) and the Law on Higher Education (amended) being submitted to the National Assembly at this session.

Regarding land, tax and financial policies, the Government proposes to allow competent authorities to consider converting other types of land to land for healthcare purposes without adjusting land use planning and plans. This proposal aims to implement the spirit of Resolution 72-NQ/TW on facilitating the development of healthcare infrastructure.

To ensure time to prepare guidance documents and conditions for implementation, the Government proposes that the Resolution take effect from January 1, 2026.

Clarifying the content of "free hospital fees at the basic level" in the draft Resolution

Chairman of the National Assembly's Committee on Culture and Society Nguyen Dac Vinh said that based on the Law on Promulgation of Legal Documents and the urgency of issuing the Resolution, the Committee agrees with the Government's proposal to submit the Resolution to the National Assembly for promulgation according to shortened procedures.

Chairman of the Committee for Culture and Social Affairs Nguyen Dac Vinh - Photo: Pham Thang

Regarding Clause 1 on periodic health check-ups or free screening at least once a year from 2026, the Committee believes that this content is directly related to disease prevention activities. Therefore, the majority of opinions suggest transferring this content to the draft Law on Disease Prevention (to be considered and approved at the 10th Session), which should clearly stipulate the financial mechanism, applicable subjects, priority roadmap and implementation time, and assign the Government to provide detailed instructions.

Some comments suggested keeping this content in the draft Resolution. At the same time, the Committee noted that it should consider changing the phrase "priority roadmap" to "according to the roadmap and priority target groups" to ensure clarity.

Regarding Clause 2 regulating the policy of exempting hospital fees, the Committee stated that this content is only related to changing the policy for health insurance participants, expected to be implemented according to the roadmap from 2027 to 2030, with 100% coverage of medical examination and treatment costs within the scope of health insurance benefits. The majority of opinions said that Clause 2 only needs to stipulate the principles, assign the Government to study and submit to the National Assembly for consideration and approval of the amendment of the Law on Health Insurance in 2026, and at the same time add this task to Article 6 of the draft Resolution.

In addition, the Committee requested the Government to clarify the content of "free hospital fees at the basic level" within the scope of health insurance benefits, and determine whether the increase in benefits is compared to the basic level or at what level, to ensure consistency and transparency in implementation.

Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/trinh-quoc-hoi-loat-chinh-sach-thiet-thuc-nham-giam-ganh-nang-y-te-cho-nguoi-dan-2025111715053207.htm