Three out of four South Korean citizens feel burdened by the current health insurance premium level relative to their income. Regarding next year's health insurance premium rate adjustment, the majority of the public expressed the opinion that it should be lowered or frozen.
On the 19th, the Korea Employers Federation announced the results of the "2023 National Health Insurance Public Awareness Survey." In this survey conducted among 1,026 people nationwide aged 20 and over, 75.6% of respondents answered that the current health insurance premium level relative to their income is burdensome.
This response rate is the highest since the first National Health Insurance Comprehensive Plan (2019?2023) was implemented and the survey began in 2020. Due to recent economic uncertainties and the accumulated burden on citizens following the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of the public showed a negative attitude toward premium rate increases.
Regarding next year's health insurance premium rate adjustment, 75.8% responded that the rate should be lowered or frozen. Only 24.3% answered that the premium rate should be increased. Among them, more than half requested an increase rate of "less than 1%."
More than 65% of respondents evaluated the current government's health insurance policy direction, which strengthens essential medical services, positively. The current government is increasing support mainly for essential medical services such as pediatrics, childbirth, severe and emergency care based on efficient expenditure management. It is interpreted that the majority of the public positively evaluates the policy direction of strengthening coverage through selection and concentration.
With this year's premium rate entering the 7% range, the need for public discussion on revising the statutory upper limit of the premium rate (8%) is expected to gain momentum. Regarding the revision of the statutory upper limit of the health insurance premium rate, 64.8% expressed negative opinions. The adjustment of the premium rate ceiling is an issue where opinions are divided between those who agree that an increase is inevitable due to aging and those who argue that efficient expenditure management within the statutory limit should be the response. This survey showed that more citizens sympathize with the opposing view.
Ryu Ki-jung, Executive Director of the Korea Employers Federation, said, "Health insurance premium revenue automatically increases every year just from wage increases," adding, "Considering the ongoing domestic and international economic uncertainties and the public burden, it is questionable whether the current method of mechanically increasing the health insurance premium rate every year should be maintained."
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