Acting Chief Choi: "Medical Reform Can No Longer Be Delayed... Prompt Advancement of 2nd Implementation Plan"

Luncheon Meeting of the Special Committee on Medical Reform

Yonhap News

Choi Sang-mok, Acting President and Deputy Prime Minister as well as Minister of Strategy and Finance, emphasized on the 5th that "medical reform is a task that can no longer be postponed," stating, "Although collective actions by residents and medical students continue, structural reform for the normalization of healthcare in the Republic of Korea cannot be stopped."

Acting President Choi made these remarks during a luncheon meeting with members of the Special Committee on Medical Reform (Special Committee) and ministers from related government departments held at the Government Seoul Office.

He stressed, "The government has focused on strengthening essential medical services and establishing regional healthcare systems to protect the health and lives of the people," evaluating that the ‘Essential Medical Policy Package’ and the ‘First Medical Reform Implementation Plan’ announced last year have already brought changes to the medical field.

He identified the core tasks of medical reform as ▲supporting medical school education and resident training ▲restructuring the inefficient medical delivery system ▲resolving issues related to non-reimbursable services and indemnity insurance ▲improving procedures for medical accident disputes, pointing out that without addressing these, medical advancement will be difficult.

Acting President Choi also stated that the Special Committee will be supported not just as a temporary discussion body but to lead long-term structural reform in healthcare. Regarding the second medical reform implementation plan, he urged prompt finalization, saying, "Fostering regional general hospitals, reforming non-reimbursable services and indemnity insurance, and establishing a safety net for medical accidents are urgent tasks."

He requested the Ministry of Health and Welfare to convene the Special Committee swiftly and urged the Korean Medical Association and resident groups to actively participate in medical reform discussions and propose practical alternatives.

Furthermore, Acting President Choi emphasized, "Normalization of healthcare is impossible by the government alone," adding, "Healthcare providers, consumers, and administrators must cooperate to gain public trust and allow medical professionals to take pride in their work."

Meanwhile, at the meeting, participants evaluated the activities and achievements of the Special Committee so far and agreed that to carry out the medical reform tasks, which involve many conflicts and issues, without setbacks, the role of the Special Committee as a social discussion body needs to be further strengthened.

No Yeon-hong, Chairperson of the Special Committee, said, "Unlike past reform promotion bodies that only presented rosy blueprints, the reason reform tasks following Special Committee discussions could be implemented was due to public consensus and support, as well as the government’s policy will," adding, "We will do our best to complete medical reform without missing the last golden time."