Lin Chin-hsing

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Lin Chin-hsing
MLY
林進興
Member of the Legislative Yuan
In office
1 February 2002 – 31 January 2008
Preceded bymulti-member district
Succeeded byChung Shao-ho
ConstituencyKaohsiung 1
Personal details
Born (1953-05-12) 12 May 1953 (age 70)
NationalityTaiwanese
Political partyIndependent (2003; 2006–?; since 2014)
Other political
affiliations		Democratic Progressive Party (until 2006; 2014)
Alma materKaohsiung Medical University
Yale University
Johns Hopkins University
Occupationpolitician
Professionphysician

Peter Lin or Lin Chin-hsing (Chinese: 林進興; born 12 May 1953) is a Taiwanese physician and politician. He was a member of the Legislative Yuan from 2002 to 2008, and faced legal action throughout his time in office, which twice led to his expulsion from the Democratic Progressive Party. Lin was a DPP candidate for Kaohsiung City Council in the 2014 Taiwanese local elections, but was not elected.

Education and early career[edit]

Lin earned bachelor's degrees in medical science and pharmaceutics at Kaohsiung Medical University before pursuing two master's degrees in the United States. He studied epidemiology at Yale University, then enrolled at Johns Hopkins University. After Lin finished his master's in computer science at JHU, he remained at the university and completed a doctorate in medical policy.[1][2] Prior to his political career, Lin operated his own clinic,[1][2] where he offered free medical care to the poor.[3]

Political career[edit]

During his first legislative campaign in 2001, Lin helped many Kuomintang members who had left the party and considered joining the Democratic Progressive Party, following the KMT's decision to expel its former chairman Lee Teng-hui.[4] He also led a group of DPP members to gather outside the chamber of the Kaohsiung City Council in support of mayor Frank Hsieh, after hearing about a disagreement between Hsieh and council speaker Huang Chi-chuan.[5]

While running for reelection in 2004, Lin campaigned alongside Kuan Bi-ling, Lee Kun-tse [zh], and Tseng Tsan-teng [zh], utilizing a vote allocation scheme that saw all four candidates win.[6][7]

Prior to the 2008 legislative election, Lin was due to receive the Democratic Progressive Party's nomination for Kaohsiung 3, by virtue of leading Lee Kun-tse in opinion polls, but the decision to confirm Lin's nomination was delayed, as he was indicted for health insurance fraud.[8] Lee eventually defeated Tseng Tsahn-deng in an inter-party opinion poll and obtained the DPP's formal backing.[9] Lin chose to contest the legislative election as a political independent, and the Taiwan Tongzhi Hotline Association, an LGBT rights organization, placed him on a list of candidates to boycott.[10]

During the 2012 presidential election, Lin was a member of the Tsai Ing-wen campaign staff based in Kaohsiung.[11]

Lin ran as a Democratic Progressive Party candidate for Kaohsiung City Council, but was critical of the Kaohsiung City Government's handling of the 2014 Kaohsiung dengue fever outbreak [zh], as well as companies headquartered in Kaohsiung during the 2014 Taiwan food scandal.[12] He received 4.56% of the vote, and was not seated to the city council.[13]

Lin aided Chen Chi-mai's campaign during the 2020 Kaohsiung mayoral by-election.[14]

Controversy[edit]

After Lin's legislative colleagues Diane Lee and Yang Fu-mei falsely accused Twu Shiing-jer of assaulting a restaurateur in 2002, Lin initiated proceedings to discipline the pair.[15][16][17]

In April 2003, Lin was one of forty people indicted as part of an investigation into voting buying during the December 2002 election of the Kaohsiung City Council speaker and deputy speaker.[18][19] Shortly after his indictment, Lin was expelled from the Democratic Progressive Party.[20] Lin's ex-wife Chang Wen-hsiu stood accused of accepting a NT$5 million bribe from Chu An-hsiung [zh], and Lin was indicted as an accomplice because he was present when the transaction took place.[21] Prosecutors sought a one-year prison sentence for Lin.[22] The Kaohsiung District Court gave Lin and Chang identical prison sentences of eighteen months.[23] Upon appeal to the Taiwan High Court, Lin was acquitted of bribery, and announced his intention to rejoin the DPP.[24] Su Hui-chen claimed in 2004 that Lin and Hsueh Ling were involved in vote buying during the 2001 legislative elections.[25] The Democratic Progressive Party formed a task force to probe the allegations.[26]

During the 2005 Taiwanese local elections, Lin Chin-hsing published the medical records of incumbent Taichung mayor Jason Hu, who was seeking reelection.[27] Hu's party, the Kuomintang, stated that Lin's medical license should be revoked for violations of the Doctor's Law, specifically articles 23 and 25 regarding patient privacy. Democratic Progressive Party legislative caucus whip William Lai observed that what Lin did was "inappropriate and unnecessary," but opined that the judiciary and medical authorities should be responsible for deciding if Lin's actions constituted a violation of the law.[28] While Hu was pondering his next legal steps against Lin,[29] the Taichung City Government's Medical Doctor Disciplinary Committee suspended Lin's medical license for one year.[30] Lin argued that the committee had no power to make the decision, because he was registered to practice in Kaohsiung.[31] Lin soon publicly apologized to Hu.[32] Annette Lu, acting chair of the Democratic Progressive Party, suggested that Lin face party discipline for his actions.[32][33] Hu opted not to pursue further legal action.[34]

In October 2005, Lin's hospital was searched by the Tainan Prosecutor's Office.[35] Lin and fellow physician-turned-legislator Chiu-Yung-jen [zh] were two of 32 people indicted on charges of health insurance fraud.[36] Subsequently, the DPP suspended both Lin and Chiu's membership.[37] On 13 April 2006, both were formally expelled from the party.[38] Lin's trial began in August 2006, and he pled not guilty.[39] He was eventually found guilty in 2008.[14]

In May 2009, the Tainan District Court sentenced Lin Chin-hsing to two years imprisonment and five years of probation.[40] Soon after, Lin renamed his medical practice.[41] On 27 May 2009, the Tainan Prosecutors' Office cracked down on a ring of fraudulent consulting physicians. Lin's clinic was deemed a victim of this ring, as its members presented forged medical licenses to multiple medical facilities.[42]

Lin Chin-hsing was attacked by two men on 27 July 2009, while eating at a seafood restaurant in Sanmin District with friends. The police found the suspects the next day, and both confessed, explaining that they were unhappy with the fact that Lin had never been imprisoned for health insurance fraud, and decided to attack him after passing the eatery.[43] Lee Kun-tse acknowledged knowing Lin's attackers when Lin asked, but stated that he never employed them as legislative assistants, campaign aides, or chauffeurs.[43]

On 13 June 2012, the Kaohsiung branch of the Taiwan High Court ruled that a February 2006 death at Lin's medical practice was due in part to the absence of an anesthesiologist. Lin and the anesthesiologist were to compensate the patients' family NT$391 million.[44]

Veterinary career[edit]

Lin took an entrance exam in July 2009 intending to study veterinary medicine and was admitted to the National Pingtung University of Science and Technology. He turned his old clinic into a veterinary practice in 2011.[40]

Political views, commentary, and advocacy[edit]

Medical funding and health policy[edit]

As a legislator, he was active in discussions on funding,[45] particularly in regards to health insurance. In 2002, he stated that National Health Insurance rates should not be raised during an economic downturn, or without first reducing inefficiencies and waste in the system.[46] In 2004, Lin called for the reimbursement rate of smaller hospitals to be increased so that those medical facilities could avoid accruing debt.[47]

During the 2003 SARS outbreak, Lin advised frequent handwashing and stated that gloves were better protection against the virus than gauze masks.[48] He expressed support for the tracking of Chinese people in Taiwan to limit the spread of the disease.[49]

Military and national security[edit]

Lin was a member of an "anti-betrayal alliance,"[50] and later the Alliance Against Selling Out Taiwan.[51][52] Lin repeatedly raised concerns about Taiwanese military officers' susceptibility to infiltration from China,[53][54] and also proposed bills to improve military culture for conscripts.[55][56] In 2002, Lin commented on the end of Operation Starlight, a training program that had been a part of Singapore–Taiwan military relations since 1975.[57][58] Later that year, Lin opposed his party and withdrew support from a deal to acquire Kidd-class destroyers from the United States.[59] In 2003, Lin claimed that Chinese agents were focused on enticing Taiwanese computer scientists and soldiers, and that some Chinese people had acquired Taiwanese citizenship using false documents.[60] Lin also alleged that China had hired Taiwanese fishermen as spies.[61] That year he also raised concerns about Taiwanese veterans collecting pensions while residing in China,[62] and about the return of a former National Security Bureau official to Taiwan who had retired from his government post to work in China.[63] Prior to the passage of China's Anti-Secession Law in 2005, Lin opposed a proposed Taiwan Solidarity Union-backed Legislative Yuan resolution against the law.[64] After the law had passed, however, Lin called for the People's Republic of China not to enact it, but pursue further talks with Taiwan.[65] He organized a protest march against the law,[66] jointly proposed an "anti-invasion law" in the Legislative Yuan,[67] and drew attention to war songs about China still being sung by Taiwan's military.[68] After members of the Pan-Blue Coalition visited China later that year, Lin stated that they should have negotiated repatriation plans for the 2,223 Chinese people who were detained for illegally immigrating to Taiwan.[69]

Personal life[edit]

Lin Chin-hsing's sister Lin Mei-ling ran in a 2004 by-election for Kaohsiung City Council.[70]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Lin Chin-hsing (5)". Legislative Yuan. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Lin Chin-hsing (6)". Legislative Yuan. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  3. ^ Huang, Joyce (29 October 2001). "All politics is local in the southern port". Taipei Times. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  4. ^ Low, Stephanie (26 September 2001). "KMT orders Lee's portraits removed". Taipei Times. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  5. ^ Huang, Joyce (3 November 2001). "Kaohsiung Council spat cools, blame is avoided". Taipei Times. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  6. ^ Huang, Jewel (22 November 2004). "Vote-allocation has risks, but greens confident". Taipei Times. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  7. ^ Huang, Jewel (29 November 2004). "Chen vows change with majority". Taipei Times. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  8. ^ Wang, Flora (28 June 2007). "DPP committee agrees to delay of national congress". Taipei Times. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  9. ^ Chuang, Jimmy (17 November 2007). "TSU's Tseng drops out after losing poll". Taipei Times. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  10. ^ Loa, Iok-sin (5 January 2008). "Activists urge boycott of 'homophobic' candidates". Taipei Times. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  11. ^ 前綠委欠稅擺爛 擬列禁奢，2012年3月1日，蘋果日報
  12. ^ 蔡孟妤、蘇郁涵／高雄報導，登革熱疫情 綠候選人也開砲，2014年11月20日，聯合報
  13. ^ "103年直轄市市議員選舉（區域） 候選人得票數" (in Chinese). Central Election Commission. 29 November 2014. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  14. ^ a b Lin, Liang-sheng; Xie, Dennis (11 August 2020). "KMT slams DPP's Chen for not signing anti-corruption pact". Taipei Times. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  15. ^ Lin, Mei-chun (7 October 2002). "Lawmakers demand Lee resign". Taipei Times. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  16. ^ Lin, Mei-chun (8 October 2002). "Saying sorry is not enough, DPP lawmakers insist". Taipei Times. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  17. ^ Hsu, Crystal (9 October 2002). "Legislature kills motion to discipline Diane Lee". Taipei Times. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  18. ^ Chiu, Yu-Tzu (8 April 2003). "Prosecutors indict 40 in Kaohsiung". Taipei Times. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  19. ^ Chuang, Jimmy (14 April 2003). "Newsmaker: Team of prosecutors quick to act on bribery scandal". Taipei Times. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  20. ^ "DPP expels scandalized Lin". Taipei Times. 26 April 2003. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  21. ^ Chuang, Jimmy (16 May 2003). "Accused councilors miss court date, again". Taipei Times. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  22. ^ Lin, Mei-chun (9 April 2003). "Scandal puts DPP lawmaker in hot seat". Taipei Times. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  23. ^ "Kaohsiung court convicts five in vote-buying plot". Taipei Times. 30 July 2003. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  24. ^ Lu, Fiona (26 December 2003). "Lin acquitted of bribery, now wants to rejoin DPP". Taipei Times. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  25. ^ Chen, Yun-ping; Ko, Shu-ling (28 May 2004). "Zanadau's Su says Hsueh of Sunny Bank bought votes". Taipei Times. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  26. ^ Chen, Yun-ping (29 May 2004). "DPP forms investigative task force on vote-buying". Taipei Times. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  27. ^ Mo, Yan-chih (1 December 2005). "Hu's the boss in Taichung mayoral race". Taipei Times. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  28. ^ "KMT wants doctor to lose license over Hu's records". Taipei Times. Central News Agency. 1 December 2005. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  29. ^ "Jason Hu still considering legal response to attacks". Taipei Times. Central News Agency. 6 December 2005. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  30. ^ "Hu may still sue over medical records". Taipei Times. Central News Agency. 9 December 2005. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  31. ^ Lin, Jean (9 December 2005). "Lin protests decision to revoke license". Taipei Times. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  32. ^ a b Chuang, Jimmy; Huang, Jewel (10 December 2005). "DPP lawmaker apologizes to Hu". Taipei Times. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  33. ^ Huang, Jewel; Chiu, Tu-tzu (13 December 2005). "Lu offers to resign as leader of DPP". Taipei Times.
  34. ^ "Editorial: Mischievous doctors off the hook". Taipei Times. 26 August 2006. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  35. ^ Ko, Shu-ling (14 October 2005). "Two lawmakers suspected in insurance fraud case". Taipei Times. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  36. ^ "DPP legislators and hospital staff charged with fraud". Taipei Times. Central News Agency. 30 March 2006. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  37. ^ Shih, Hsiu-chuan (31 March 2006). "KMT calls on DPP 'hospital fraud' pair to quit, refund cash". Taipei Times. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  38. ^ "Taiwan Quick Take: DPP to expel two lawmakers". Taipei Times. 14 April 2006. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  39. ^ "Taiwan Quick Take: No way out for Chiu Yung-jen". Taipei Times. 5 August 2006. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  40. ^ a b 前立委林進興 改念獸醫 Archived 11 January 2010 at the Wayback Machine，2009年9月23日，蘋果日報
  41. ^ 詐健保獲緩刑 林進興改唸獸醫系 Archived 15 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine，6 January 2011, Apple Daily
  42. ^ 草菅人命 17醫院用假醫師 Archived 22 August 2009 at the Wayback Machine，28 May 2009 Apple Daily
  43. ^ a b 林進興消夜挨揍 被指A健保費 29 July 2009 Apple Daily
  44. ^ 醫療疏失 前立委林進興連帶賠償391萬 14 June 2012 Liberty Times
  45. ^ Hsu, Crystal (19 February 2002). "Parties lining up support for showdown vote today". Taipei Times. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  46. ^ Ko, Shu-ling (23 February 2002). "Health-fee plan sickens DPP lawmakers". Taipei Times. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  47. ^ Su, Joy (13 October 2004). "Clinics call fees unfair". Taipei Times. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  48. ^ Lu, Fiona (27 April 2003). "SARS epidemic: Lawmakers offer expert advice on prevention". Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  49. ^ Lu, Fiona (24 April 2003). "MAC to attempt to cut down on cross-strait travel". Taipei Times. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  50. ^ Low, Stephanie (30 March 2002). "DPP lawmakers prod PFP on allegiance issue". Taipei Times. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  51. ^ "China holding data on most Taiwanese: Chai". Taipei Times. Central News Agency. 15 November 2004. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  52. ^ Huang, Tai-lin (2 October 2003). "Pan-blue legislators miss out on Chinese National Day fun". Taipei Times. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  53. ^ Low, Stephanie (14 June 2002). "Legislators warn of 'sex threat' to national security". Taipei Times. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  54. ^ Hsu, Crystal (13 June 2002). "Lawmakers sound alarms over military loyalty". Taipei Times. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  55. ^ "Bill would curb foul language". Taipei Times. 21 May 2002. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  56. ^ Hsu, Brian (3 October 2002). "Legislator seeks protection for homosexuals". Taipei Times. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  57. ^ "Singapore military ties now a 'threat'". Taipei Times. Associated Press. 23 April 2002. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  58. ^ "Singapore's military training facilities to go to China". Taipei Times. Agence France Presse. 23 September 2002. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  59. ^ Hsu, Brian (30 October 2002). "Tang prods legislature over Kidds". Taipei Times. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  60. ^ Lu, Fiona (8 August 2003). "China seducing our youth: lawmakers". Taipei Times. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  61. ^ Lu, Fiona (16 August 2003). "Legislative group says fishermen are spying for Beijing". Taipei Times. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  62. ^ Liu, Roger (29 July 2003). "Taiwanese based in China facing loss of citizenship". Taipei Times. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  63. ^ Hsu, Brian (26 December 2003). "Sources believe rogue official back in Taiwan". Taipei Times. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  64. ^ Ko, Shu-ling (27 February 2005). "TSU wants resolution against Chinese law". Taipei Times. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  65. ^ Ko, Shu-ling (10 March 2005). "Party leaders urged to unite against anti-secession law". Taipei Times. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  66. ^ Huang, Jewel (24 March 2005). "March will feature two 15m high 'spiritual forts'". Taipei Times. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  67. ^ Ko, Shu-ling (14 March 2005). "DPP pushes law against China threat". Taipei Times. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  68. ^ Chang, Rich (3 April 2005). "DPP lawmakers want military to sing another tune". Taipei Times. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  69. ^ Chang, Rich (10 May 2005). "Take back immigrants: DPP". Taipei Times. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  70. ^ "DPP candidates queried". Taipei Times. 3 June 2004. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
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