The draft resolution expands healthcare benefits and reduces medical costs for citizens. Starting from 2026, citizens will receive free periodic health check-ups or screening at least once a year, based on beneficiary groups and a priority roadmap.

According to the Government's report, funding for the policy will come from various sources. For the periodic health check-up policy, the Government stated that businesses will cover the costs for employees as regulated. The state budget will fund priority groups first, estimated at about VND6 trillion/year which may increase gradually.

By 2030, free hospital fees will be implemented according to a roadmap consistent with the country's socio-economic development conditions and the balancing capacity of the Health Insurance Fund.

From 2027, citizens will receive free basic hospital fees within the scope of Health Insurance benefits; and health Insurance participants who are social policy beneficiaries, vulnerable groups, low-income individuals and other priority groups will have their benefit levels increased within the scope of Health Insurance benefits.

Starting in 2027, people from near-poor households and those aged 75 and above receiving social pension benefits will enjoy 100 percent coverage for medical examinations and treatment within the health insurance benefit package.

According to Government estimates, the impact on the Health Insurance Fund from increasing benefit levels for these groups would range from about VND455 billion to over VND2,738 billion.

The Government also proposed that the National Assembly allow pilot implementation and diversification of health insurance packages, based on citizens’ needs.

Lan said that since the Party’s new policy is not yet covered by the Health Insurance Law, the National Assembly must specify it to provide a legal basis for implementation.

Regarding salaries and allowances for healthcare workers, the Government proposed not to expand special groups but only to regulate benefits for those already specified under Resolution 72.

Accordingly, 100 percent allowance is provided for healthcare workers who regularly and directly perform medical tasks at commune health stations, preventive healthcare facilities in ethnic minority and mountainous areas, economically difficult or extremely difficult areas, border regions, and islands, as well as workers in mental health, forensic medicine, forensic psychiatry, emergency care, pathology and other special groups in line with socio-economic development and budget capacity.  

To implement this, the state budget is estimated to spend over VND4,481 billion.

Investment costs for grassroots healthcare is around VND52.5 trillion, and preventative medicine VND28.7 trillion.

Along with the breakthrough policies on land, tax, and finance, the Government proposed that the state budget ensure recurrent and investment expenditures for grassroots healthcare and preventative medicine, regardless of the level of financial autonomy. 

The Government stated that most preventative medical facilities and grassroots healthcare facilities have low revenue sources. State budget allocation is only enough for minimal operations (basic salary, epidemic prevention supplies), making it very difficult for units to generate additional income.

The Government estimated that the investment cost for grassroots healthcare would be VND52.5 trillion (VND43 trillion for the 2026–2030 period; VND9.5 trillion for the 2031–2035 period); and for preventative medicine VND28.7 trillion (VND18.7 trillion for the 2026–2030 period; VND10 trillion for 2031–2035).

The Ministry of Health proposed that the resolution take effect from January 1, 2026.

The Culture and Social Affairs Committee, reviewing the regulation on free periodic health check-ups or screening at least once a year from 2026, found that the content is related to disease prevention.

Therefore, many deputies suggest moving this content into the draft Law on Disease Prevention (to be reviewed at the 10th session), specifying principles, financial mechanisms, target groups, a priority roadmap, implementation timeline, and assigning the Government to issue detailed guidance. Some opinions propose keeping it in the draft resolution.

Regarding hospital fee exemption, the Committee noted that clause 2 refers only to changes in policies for health insurance participants, implemented from 2027 to 2030 (with 100 percent coverage within the insurance benefit package). Therefore, most opinions suggest that clause 2 should only set principles and require the Government to study and propose amendments to the Health Insurance Law in 2026.

Thu Hang