The burden is doubled! Twins Association: Subsidy inequality

The birth of twins is a double blessing for many parents. However, at a time when the recession has led to the birth of children, it is undoubtedly a problem for economically disadvantaged groups. It is more than 2 times more expenditure. The Taipei Twins Association pointed out that although the government has proposed a number of measures to encourage childbearing, it does not provide equal care to families with multiple twins. It is believed that current laws and regulations should strengthen financial, medical, educational and other comprehensive subsidies for families with twins and multiples as soon as possible. The Taipei Twins Association appeals that *** should start developing a multiple-twin parenting subsidy to take care of this group of families who contribute the most to the fertility rate. (Photography/Huang Zilun)

Professor Zhang Jue, founding chairman of the Beijing Twins Association, pointed out that mothers who raise twins are actually in a high-risk pregnancy group before the child is born, and after birth Multiple births also have a higher proportion of premature births, congenital diseases, and physical weakness. Taking care of twin infants and young children requires huge expenses. Although *** in various counties and cities have proposed a number of welfare measures to improve the fertility environment and increase the fertility rate, why do families with twins and multiples, who have the greatest "return on investment" in fertility rates, not have the same or even equal benefits? Better profits?

The Taipei Twins Association suggests that Taiwan could refer to other countries and include twins and multiples in the scope of special benefits. Taking New Zealand as an example, there is a "Newborn Doubles and Multiples Home Care" plan. If the twins are born and there is another child under 3 years old in the family, they can enjoy 240 hours of care for the twins for one year and 240 hours for the triplets. 1,560 hours of home care subsidy for the above two years.

Or, for example, Australia's "Family Assistance Program" provides tax benefits for families with twins until they are 16 years old. If the twins are born to different people, There are also tax deductions and exemptions available for adoption. The state of Florida in the United States provides a public and private "Newborn Health Care Program" that specifically targets twins aged 0-3 years old for home visits and parenting information.

Professor Zhang Jue said that the Beijing Twins Association hopes to make three demands on the current regulations, hoping to improve the parenting environment for families with multiple twins.

Expand the scope of the "Child Care Subsidy" subsidy for families with twins and multiples, and provide different levels of subsidy amounts according to the type of birth.

Families with newborn twins should enjoy an "infant and child care loan" similar to the "youth home purchase loan".

Families with newborn twins should be eligible for home care services and receive subsidies.