Taiwan's premier is defending the government's decision to block a legislative change that would have expanded health insurance subsidies for seniors, framing it as a fight to protect constitutional order and fiscal discipline over election-year politics.

• The Cabinet declined to countersign an amendment to the Senior Citizens Welfare Act that would have had the central government fully cover health insurance premiums for seniors over 65 whose income tax rate is under 20%.
• The premier said the change would blow a hole in the budget, overstep the Cabinet's budget authority, and actually create gaps in coverage for poorer elderly citizens, and said no party should break constitutional and fiscal rules just to score election points.
• The timing is sensitive since elections are just weeks away, and opposition lawmakers have been pressing ruling-party candidates over whether blocking the law will hurt them at the polls.
• The government says it already funds premium subsidies for lower-income seniors 70 and older, and that local governments get more shared tax revenue this year to help cover people aged 65 to 69.
• Separately, Taiwan confirmed it got only an email invitation (not the usual formal envoy) from China to next week's APEC summit, and officials say they're still pushing for fair treatment and haven't finalized who will attend.

Outlook: Expect continued political sparring over the welfare law ahead of the elections, with no resolution likely until after voters decide.