我國長期照顧保險制度規劃概述

An Overview of The Long-term Care Insurance Plan in Taiwan

隨著社會變遷與醫療衛生的進步，我國整體人口結構快速趨向高齡化的發展，失能人數亦快速增加，使得長期照顧（以下簡稱長照）需求人數也同步增加；同時因家庭的照顧功能逐漸式微，個人與家庭的照顧壓力也日益加重；而政府囿於公務預算，難以支撐未來國人長照需求，服務體系之發展亦受限，因此，亟需儘早建立兼具財源穩定充足、財務獨立與提供普及式照顧服務的長照保險制度，期望以全民自助互助、共同分擔風險等方式，使國人獲得基本的長照保障，減輕失能者及其家庭之照顧負荷及財務負擔。本文分別就下列兩個部分進行說明：一、推動長照保險之背景；二、長照保險制度規劃。

Social change, and advancements in medical technology and public health have led to an increase in the aging population and people with disabilities in Taiwan. Therefore, the number of people needing long-term care also increases. With the caring function of the family in gradual decline, there is a growing burden on individual and family of long-term care. As public budgets are stretched, the provision of longterm care is not sustainable because it lacks a foundation to develop upon. Therefore, we must establish a more sufficient, stable, independent, and universal long-term care insurance system. A long-term care insurance would cover essential and basic long-term care services for everyone, and release physical and financial care burdens on individuals and families. This paper addresses two key points: (1) the background to develop long-term care insurance in Taiwan, and (2) a plan for long-term care insurance in Taiwan.