Those attending the meeting included: Nguyen The Manh - the Permanent Deputy Chair Commissioner of the VSS Board of Commissioners & VSS General Director; Nguyen Van Cuong - Deputy Chair Commissioner; the Vice Ministers of Health, Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs; and the members of the Board of Commissioners.

Also in attendance were the Vice General Directors of the VSS: Tran Dinh Lieu, Nguyen Duc Hoa, Chu Manh Sinh; leaders of units under the VSS; and representatives from the Ministry and related agencies assisting the members of the Board of Commissioners.

Ho Duc Phoc - Minister of Finance & Chair Commissioner of the VSS Board of Commissioners presided over the meeting

Chair Commissioner of the VSS Board of Commissioners, Ho Duc Phoc, emphasized during the meeting that the Board will hear reports on the results of the first six months of 2023, as well as the management and operation of the VSS during the past period. The Board will also discuss and resolve any existing difficulties, provide necessary leadership and guidance, and propose solutions and tasks to ensure effective management of the social insurance fund until the end of the year.

At this meeting, the Board members discussed several prominent issues including: amending clause 3, Article 7 of Government Decision No. 19 on the settlement of costs related to the management of social, health, and unemployment insurance; supporting the unemployment insurance fund; encouraging beneficiaries of social and unemployment insurance to access non-cash payment services; reviewing the legality of social, health, and unemployment insurance expenses through electronic systems to promote the application of information technology; addressing asset-related issues of the VSS; reviewing the implementation of investment projects; building databases, promoting administrative reform, digital transformation, and addressing difficulties in proposing amendments to the Law on Social and Health Insurance.

Nguyen The Manh - the Permanent Deputy Chair Commissioner of the VSS Board of Commissioners & VSS General Director delivered a speech

The report presented by the Permanent Deputy Chair Commissioner of the VSS Board of Commissioners & VSS General Director, Nguyen The Manh, emphasized that the relevant documents requiring the opinions of the Board had been compiled and detailed reports had been sent to the Board members. Therefore, the Board members were requested to provide specific feedback on each content to enable the VSS to continue to effectively carry out its tasks and achieve the goals set for 2023 and the following years.

During the meeting, Cuong reported on the meeting's agenda. The Board had reviewed the functions and tasks of the VSS Board of Commissioners as stipulated in the 2014 Social Insurance Law and related decrees. Based on this review, the Board proposed and solicited feedback from its members to amend any content that was not appropriate.

Regarding the payment of social insurance benefits through personal ATM bank accounts, Cuong reported that the VSS had achieved over 60% of this target in urban areas. However, the nationwide target had only reached about 40%, indicating that there is still significant potential to achieve this objective.

With regards to the development of social insurance participants under Resolution No. 28 of the Central Committee, the VSS aims to have approximately 45% of the labor force in the age group eligible for social insurance coverage by 2025. This includes 2.5% of the non-formal sector labor force voluntarily participating in social insurance, around 35% of the unemployed labor force in the age group participating in unemployment insurance, and 55% of retired labor force receiving pensions and other social insurance benefits. The satisfaction rating for social insurance is targeted to reach 85%. The Board requested that the VSS continue to review and monitor these targets, develop plans and timelines for implementation to achieve the targets.

Nguyen Van Cuong - Deputy Chair Commissioner delivered a speech at the meeting

Cuong also reported on the progress of the arrangement and handling of real estate assets of the VSS according to the plan approved by the Ministry of Finance. Regarding the investment plan for 2023 and preparation for the support package for workers facing difficulties from the unemployment insurance fund, the VSS needs to continue studying and preparing for implementation when authorized to do so by the competent authorities.

Ho Duc Phoc - Minister of Finance & Chair Commissioner of the VSS Board of Commissioners gave concluding remarks

In his concluding remarks, Phoc praised the preparation work for the meeting by the VSS Board of Commissioners and the VSS with comprehensive information and data for the Board members to study and provide constructive and effective feedback for the Board's activities.

Phoc emphasized that social and health insurance policies are significant social welfare policies of the Party and the State. It is crucial to manage and ensure the operation of these funds in a manner that ensures their safety, sustainability, and development to improve the benefits for participants and contribute to social welfare, security, and order.

Phoc requested that in the future, the VSS must continue to exploit the results achieved, overcome difficulties, strive to complete the tasks assigned by the Government and the plan issued by the Board.

It is also necessary to contribute opinions on the construction and completion of the legal system on social and health insurance, particularly focusing on in-depth research and close coordination with relevant ministries and sectors to provide feedback on the amendment of the Law on Social and Health Insurance. This is to create favorable conditions for implementation and meet the changing requirements from social practice.

Regarding the budget estimates and settlement of the VSS, it is necessary to ensure transparency and public disclosure, build estimates that closely reflect the actual situation, and regularly report to the Board for monitoring. For the settlement of medical expenses, it is necessary to proactively study and propose solutions to address any existing issues to avoid prolonged settlement times. For any matters that fall outside the authority of the VSS, it is necessary to report immediately to the relevant state agencies./.