On July 1, the Vietnamese government introduced a new health insurance policy under which the Vietnam Social Insurance agency (VSI) will cover all medical costs for insured patients. Previously, insured patients had to pay 20% of medical treatment costs. The new policy will be expanded to cover medical fees for rehabilitation, traffic accidents, rabies vaccinations, birth defects and blood transfusions, and will offer patients the right to choose hospitals, beds and doctors. The health insurance fee will still cost 3% of an employee's salary. Whereas previously employers of at least 10 workers were compelled to pay this insurance, now it will be compulsory for all employers.

From Green Left Weekly, July 13, 2005.
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