"Small but Certain Happiness Pledge Considering Hair Loss Patients" VS "Health Insurance Financial Collapse" Lee's 'Hair Loss Pledge', What Do You Think?

Lee Jae-myung's 'Hair Loss Health Insurance Coverage' Pledge Sparks Debate
Democratic Party Enthusiastically Promotes Pledge Amid Hair Loss Confession
Professor Lee Sang-i Warns "Health Insurance Finances Will Collapse... Will Other Cosmetic Procedures Also Be Covered?"
230,000 Domestic Hair Loss Treatment Patients... Industry Estimates Up to 10 Million

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, is delivering the keynote speech at a debate hosted by the Korea Newspaper and Broadcasting Editors Association held at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, on December 30 last year. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] A 'populism debate' has ignited over Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate's pledge to include hair loss treatment under health insurance coverage. While some view it as a realistic pledge considering the estimated 10 million people suffering from hair loss in South Korea, others warn that including non-essential hair loss treatments in health insurance could accelerate financial crises.

On the 2nd, after hearing the proposal for 'applying health insurance to hair loss treatment' collected through the Democratic Party Youth Election Countermeasures Committee's 'Listener Project (in-depth interview campaign),' Lee said, "Let's announce this quickly as a small but certain happiness pledge." On the afternoon of the 5th, he also held a 'Youth Hair Loss Emergency Countermeasures Committee Invitation Meeting.'

Following this news, declarations of support from people with hair loss for Lee poured in. On the 4th, numerous posts welcoming the consideration of health insurance coverage for hair loss medication and expressing support for Lee were confirmed on online communities such as the 'Hair Loss Gallery' on DC Inside.

As Lee's hair loss pledge gained popularity, members of the Democratic Party rushed to visit the Hair Loss Gallery. On the 4th, Representative Kim Nam-guk confessed, "I have been a person with hair loss since university due to severe M-shaped hair loss and have taken Propecia," and shared his experience of giving up the medication due to side effects and expensive drug costs.

Representative Kim added, "I strongly agree on the necessity of hair loss policies. Please gather specific opinions from those experiencing hair loss so that good policies can be created."

Democratic Party Representative Park Joo-min also appeared in the Hair Loss Gallery on the 5th, saying, "Thank you for inviting me so much; I am here to verify and leave. Everyone, let's be happy too." The photo he posted included a video capture confessing, "It's been two months since I took off my wig."

Democratic Party lawmaker Park Ju-min appeared on the hair loss gallery of the online community 'DC Inside' on the 5th and confessed that he is experiencing hair loss.
Photo by online community 'DC Inside' capture

Some critics argue that Lee's pledge supports cosmetic procedures not directly related to life and could worsen health insurance finances. Lee Sang-yi, a professor at Jeju National University Medical School and former director of the Health Insurance Research Institute at the National Health Insurance Service, posted on his Facebook on the 5th titled "Lee Jae-myung's Populist Politics That Will Ruin Health Insurance Finances," pointing out, "The coverage rate of our National Health Insurance is only 65.3%," adding, "It falls short of the OECD countries' average coverage rate of 80%, and we still live in a country where direct medical expenses for major diseases are a significant burden."

He further expressed concern that if Lee's hair loss pledge is realized, all other cosmetic procedures should also be covered by health insurance. Professor Lee said, "The coverage level of National Health Insurance should be dramatically increased focusing on essential medical services for life and health," and criticized, "If non-covered hair loss treatment becomes eligible for National Health Insurance, numerous procedures and treatments in the cosmetic, plastic surgery, and dermatology fields should also be considered for coverage."

As Lee's hair loss pledge gained support, Ahn Cheol-soo, the People's Party presidential candidate, countered with a related pledge. On the 5th, he stated on his Facebook, "Where will the soon-to-be-depleted health insurance finances come from? Ultimately, there is no choice but a significant increase in health insurance premiums," and pledged to lower the price of generic hair loss drugs and expand support for research and development in the hair loss-related health industry.

Ahn also agreed with the purpose of the hair loss-related pledge. He said, "In the past, hair loss was mostly due to genetic factors, but now hair loss caused by environmental and various stress factors is increasing," adding, "Therefore, I believe the state should actively step in regarding hair loss."

Meanwhile, the number of people suffering from hair loss in South Korea continues to rise. According to the National Health Insurance Service, 233,194 people received treatment for hair loss at hospitals last year, a 12.5% increase from 208,534 in 2015. Related industries, including the Korean Hair Loss Treatment Society, estimate the hair loss population to be about 10 million.