Taiwan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare has announced a new program to improve breast cancer care by linking hospital funding to patient outcomes. This shift represents a significant change in how the government supports cancer treatment nationwide. Under the new system, hospitals will receive payments based on their ability to provide consistent treatment and improve five-year survival rates. Consequently, providers will need to prioritize the quality of care rather than simply the quantity of services delivered.
Moreover, this pay-for-performance model aims to encourage comprehensive care, pushing medical institutions to close gaps in early screening and follow-up treatments. As a result, patients should benefit from more effective and timely interventions. Currently, breast cancer remains the most diagnosed cancer among women in Taiwan. Each year, over 17,000 women receive new diagnoses. Meanwhile, approximately 3,000 die annually from the disease, demonstrating a pressing need to enhance breast cancer care.
Over the past two decades, the incidence rate has nearly doubled, rising from 40 to 82 cases per 100,000 people. Therefore, health officials emphasize the urgency of improving early detection and treatment adherence to slow this upward trend. Chen Fang-ming, president of the Taiwan Breast Cancer Society, highlighted several challenges. He pointed out that many patients fail to complete their prescribed treatment plans. Consequently, this reduces their chances of survival. He added that raising public awareness and improving screening participation remain essential steps.
In addition, Taiwan has upgraded its cancer registry system to support this initiative. Now, hospitals submit patient data continuously in real time, which allows for more accurate monitoring and policy adjustments. This upgrade also helps provide feedback to hospitals, promoting accountability and improvement. Furthermore, Health Minister Shih Chung-liang confirmed that the Ministry will collaborate closely with medical professionals before launching the program. This collaboration ensures that the new funding model reflects frontline experiences and gains wide acceptance.
While Taiwan has expanded insurance coverage to meet international guidelines, mortality rates from breast cancer have not dropped as quickly as expected. However, officials believe that linking funding to outcomes will create stronger incentives to improve care quality. Looking ahead, the Ministry will evaluate the program’s effectiveness regularly and adjust funding criteria accordingly. If successful, Taiwan may extend this model to other types of cancer care.
For now, the government remains focused on enhancing breast cancer care and improving patient survival rates. By introducing performance-based incentives, Taiwan aims to close long-standing gaps in breast cancer care, ultimately providing better outcomes for patients nationwide.
