President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) visited the Jinghao Garden Comprehensive Long-term Care Facility on Friday, his first public outing since the New Year’s holiday. The trip demonstrates his focus on rolling out Long-term Care 3.0, after stating that Taiwan has become a super-aged society.

The new 3.0 builds on Former President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) care plan and President Tsai Ing-wen’s (蔡英文) version 2.0. Care facilities have grown from 720 to over 15,000, with more than 100,000 caregivers. Annual funding has also risen from about NT$5 billion (US$159 million) under Ma to over NT$80 billion (US$2.5 billion) under Tsai, NT$90 billion (US$2.8 billion) in Lai’s first year, and this year will hit $NT100 billion (US$3.1 billion).

Long-Term Care 3.0 emphasizes stronger institutional care, family respite services, better medical linkages, and expanded eligibility to include those with mild dementia or disability. Lai said, “We are moving beyond Long-Term Care 2.0; we are broadening it, and then we are adding medical care. Ultimately, it will become a region with home care services, community services, institutional services, and medical services, connecting them so that our elderly can receive better care when needed.” 

Interacting with seniors at a long-term care facility, Lai voiced concern that the unpassed central government budget threatens Long-term Care 3.0. He pledged to work with the Cabinet and Legislature to pass it as soon as possible, ensuring more funds and resources are available so that care for the elderly continues uninterrupted. 

The president emphasized that the plan transcends party lines, pledging support even in KMT-led Yilan County. He urged collaboration between the central government, local government, and private organizations.