Nghe An is a bright spot in implementing voluntary social insurance.

On the afternoon of December 24, the Central Economic Committee held a national online conference to summarize Resolution No. 21-NQ/TW, dated November 22, 2012 of the Politburo on strengthening the Party's leadership over social insurance (SI) and health insurance (HI) work in the 2012-2020 period.

At the main central bridge, comrade Tran Tuan Anh - Politburo member, Head of the Central Economic Commission attended, directed and chaired. At the Nghe An Provincial Party Committee bridge, comrade Nguyen Van Thong - Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee chaired. Also attending were representatives of the Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda Department, People's Council and a number of provincial departments, branches and sectors.

Panorama of the conference at the Nghe An Provincial Party Committee bridge. Photo: Thanh Duy

BASICLY COMPLETED THE GOAL OF UNIVERSAL HEALTH COVERAGE

During the 2012 - 2020 period, Party committees and authorities at all levels from the central to local levels have paid attention to leading, directing the organization, dissemination and implementation of Resolution No. 21.

By the end of 2020, the number of social insurance participants nationwide was more than 16 million people, reaching 33.5% of the working-age workforce, an increase of 53.2% compared to 2012; of which the number of compulsory social insurance participants was more than 15 million people, and voluntary social insurance was more than 1.1 million people.

The number of people participating in unemployment insurance (UI) is more than 13.3 million people, an increase of 61.7% compared to 2012, reaching 27% of the workforce.

Nghe An Social Insurance officers advise people on participating in social insurance and health insurance. Photo: Duc Anh

The whole country has about 88 million people participating in health insurance, accounting for 90.97% of the population, helping Vietnam basically complete the goal of universal health insurance and reach the finish line ahead of schedule for the 2012-2020 period according to Resolution No. 21.

The Health Insurance Fund is gradually becoming a basic financial source for medical examination and treatment activities, contributing to reducing people's payment for health care.

The quality of social insurance and health insurance services has been gradually improved. People's satisfaction with the quality of health insurance has been increasingly enhanced. Administrative procedures have been reformed; State management of social insurance and health insurance has been focused on and strengthened.

Comrade Nguyen Van Thong - Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee chaired at the Nghe An Provincial Party Committee bridge point. Photo: Thanh Duy

However, the summary also shows some limitations such as: Social insurance coverage is low, difficult to achieve the set target, the number of voluntary social insurance participants is still low compared to the potential;...

In Nghe An, implementing Resolution No. 21, the whole province has 91% of the population participating in the national health insurance, exceeding the target of 80% set by Resolution 21. The social insurance coverage rate has been gradually increased rapidly, especially voluntary social insurance.

By the end of 2021, the number of people participating in social insurance was 354,499, reaching a coverage rate of 19.06% of the working-age population; of which, the number of people participating in voluntary social insurance was 100,000, an increase of 552% compared to 2012, making Nghe An a bright spot in terms of the rate of people participating in voluntary social insurance nationwide.

IMPORTANT TOOL TO ENSURE EQUITY AND SOCIAL SECURITY

Concluding the conference, comrade Tran Tuan Anh - Politburo member, Head of the Central Economic Commission emphasized that Resolution No. 21 has truly come into life; at the same time, affirmed that in the coming period, it is necessary to further strengthen the leadership and direction of the Party in the development of social insurance and health insurance; considering these as very important tools to ensure fairness, social security, and living conditions for people and workers.

Delegates attending the conference at the Nghe An Provincial Party Committee bridge. Photo: Thanh Duy

Emphasizing that social insurance and health insurance are two major policies, playing a pivotal role in the country's social security system, Head of the Central Economic Commission Tran Tuan Anh requested Party committees at all levels, Party organizations, authorities, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and socio-political organizations at all levels to continue to lead and direct the effective implementation of social insurance and health insurance work.

Specifically, it is necessary to continue to lead and direct in accordance with the directions and tasks set out in the 10-year Socio-Economic Development Strategy (2021 - 2030) approved at the 13th National Congress of the Party.

Delegates attending the conference at the Nghe An Provincial Party Committee bridge. Photo: Thanh Duy

Delegates attending the conference at the Nghe An Provincial Party Committee bridge. Photo: Thanh Duy

That is to implement universal health insurance, strive for a health insurance participation rate of over 95% of the population; diversify contribution and benefit levels; perfect the legal system on social insurance, and move towards universal social insurance.

At the same time, develop a flexible, diverse, modern, multi-layered social insurance system, integrated internationally; harmoniously combine the principles of contribution and benefit; fairness, equality, sharing and sustainability; continue to modernize social insurance management in a streamlined, professional and effective direction, striving to achieve 60% of the workforce participating in social insurance and 40% of the workforce of working age participating in unemployment insurance by 2030./.