On behalf of the leadership of Vietnam Social Security (VSS),  Hoa warmly welcomed the USABC delegation on their visit and working session. Deputy Director Hoa stated that within the framework of the Comprehensive Partnership between Vietnam and the United States, VSS has carried out various cooperative activities with U.S. partners, including USABC. Since 2019, VSS and the USABC Council have engaged in several activities, such as signing a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation, sharing experiences in implementing social security policies, consulting and exchanging international experiences and solutions to enhance the management and operation capacity of Vietnam's health insurance system, among others.

“The meeting takes place at a very meaningful time when Vietnam and the United States celebrate the 30th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations (1995 - 2025). Over the past three decades, the bilateral relationship between the two countries has achieved significant milestones in various fields, particularly in economic, trade, investment, and healthcare cooperation. The United States is currently the 11th largest foreign investor in Vietnam, while Vietnam has become the 8th largest trading partner of the United States,” emphasized Deputy Director Nguyễn Đức Hòa.

Deputy Director of VSS Nguyễn Đức Hòa, delivers remarks at the working session

Deputy Director Nguyễn Đức Hòa suggested that during the meeting, delegates focus on discussing key topics, such as sharing international experiences in health insurance fund management to ensure the sustainable development of Vietnam's health insurance system. He also emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation in digital technology applications to improve health insurance services, particularly in data management and electronic payment. Additionally, he highlighted the need to enhance training and capacity-building for personnel in the health insurance sector to ensure an efficient and transparent system.

Expressing appreciation for the warm reception from VSS,  Brian McFeeters expressed his delight in the close cooperation and the achievements made under the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two sides. He also emphasized that the contents raised by VSS are of great interest to the delegation members, who look forward to further discussions.

Brian McFeeters, former Ambassador and Senior Vice President and Regional Managing Director of USABC, delivers a speech.

At the meeting, the delegation members shared the recommendations and expectations of U.S. businesses with VSS. The participants also expressed their appreciation for Vietnam's achievements in universal health insurance coverage. Along with the expansion of health insurance coverage, VSS will undoubtedly face many challenges in managing and processing payment for a large number of annual health insurance medical examination and treatment. This reality raises issues related to policy development, administration, and health insurance turns, as well as the efficiency of medicine use, including both treatment effectiveness and economic efficiency. U.S. businesses expressed their desire to further support VSS  by sharing research on pharmaceuticals and drug use efficiency, thereby providing recommendations and policy adjustments to enhance the effectiveness of implementation.

VSS and the US-ASEAN Business Council Enhance Cooperation Efficiency in Social Security Field

Acknowledging and perceiving the opinions and recommendations of the delegation members, Deputy Director Nguyen Duc Hoa shared that Vietnam is committed to achieving universal health insurance (UHI), recognizing health insurance policy as a pillar of social security. In this regard, VSS, as the policy implementation agency, has collaborated with relevant ministries and industries to implement health insurance policies, ensuring the rights of participants. “Throughout this process, VSS acknowledges and continues to study the proposals and recommendations from the delegation members to ensure feasibility and implement the goal of universal health insurance,” he stated.

Overview of the meeting

Previously, with the approval and direction of the Prime Minister, VSS participated in the Prime Minister’s working session with the USABC on March 8, 2022, and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on cooperation in implementing health insurance with the Council on March 9, 2022.

Notably, during its working visit to the United States in 2024, the VSS delegation held a meeting with US-ASEAN Business Council President and CEO Ted Osius. Both sides reviewed the cooperation status and proposed specific collaborative activities, including the implementation of the MOU through the signing of Action Plans.

The MOU aims to strengthen cooperation between VSS and USABC in implementing health insurance field. Both parties share common interests and create a favorable environment to promote regular exchanges between US partners and VSS. The ultimate goal is to develop a sustainable universal health insurance, ensuring that Vietnamese people have better access to quality, safe, and efficient healthcare services with health insurance.