Ho Chi Minh City proposes free health insurance for students, senior citizens

The policy is expected to benefit over 2.7 million people and move the city closer to achieving universal health insurance coverage.

According to the proposal submitted on Thursday to the Standing Committee of the municipal People’s Council, the city aims to issue a resolution under a fast-track procedure to provide 100-percent health insurance support for these two groups.

Under the plan, residents aged 65 to 75 who are not covered by any existing support schemes will have their entire insurance contributions paid by the city.

Meanwhile, students enrolled in educational institutions will also receive full coverage, with 50 percent of the premium funded by the central government and the remaining by the city budget.

The policy is expected to cover about 676,000 senior citizens and 2.03 million students, totaling more than 2.7 million beneficiaries.

The municipal administration said the initiative reflects the city’s commitment to social welfare and demonstrates the humanitarian values of the leadership in improving public health and living standards.

The plan also aligns with the Politburo’s Resolution 72 issued in September this year on strengthening public health protection and care, aiming to achieve over 95-percent health insurance coverage by 2026 and universal coverage by 2030.

Additionally, it supports the goals outlined in the prime minister’s Decision No. 383 approving the National Strategy on the Elderly until 2035, with a vision toward 2045, which targets 100-percent health insurance coverage for senior citizens by 2030 and timely primary care for at least 90 percent of them.

“The proposed policy will reduce the financial burden of medical treatment, ensure equity in social welfare access, and strengthen public trust in local governance,” the proposal stated.

“The estimated implementation cost for 2026 is VND2.138 trillion [$82 million], of which VND1.283 trillion [$49 million] will be allocated to student insurance.”

The city’s administration plans to submit the resolution for approval at the next session of the municipal People’s Council in 2025.

If passed, the policy will take effect 10 days after adoption.