Korean Medical Association Organization on the 17th issued a statement regarding the Health and Welfare Ministry's presidential briefing, saying it agreed with the recognition of the problem of a collapse in core medical care, but raised strong concerns about emergency care measures, introducing special judicial police at the National Health Insurance Service, and applying health insurance to Korean medicine infertility and hair loss treatments.
The association said, "Core medical care that sustains society is collapsing, even though it is a field that has recently been tough and difficult," and noted, "Low fees and compensation, the risk of legal disputes, and the challenges for medical staff who must be on standby at all times are issues the association has consistently pointed out."
At the same time, it called the Minister of Health and Welfare's remarks mentioning fee increases and standby compensation "a step forward." It also stressed that the swift introduction of special provisions to the Medical Dispute Mediation Act is needed to ensure a safety net for patients and stability in clinical settings.
On emergency room operations, it said, "There is no doctor who opposes the principle that all emergency patients should receive diagnosis and treatment in the emergency room," but pointed out, "A structural review is needed of why many emergency medical institutions cannot accept patients in a timely manner."
The association proposed as solutions the establishment of a central control room that can determine in advance whether an emergency medical institution can provide definitive care, restructuring institutions based on emergency medical demand, and creating a national, phased transport system. In particular, it emphasized that "when the best possible emergency care is provided, broad immunity should be guaranteed," and said a stable treatment environment must be created.
On the push to introduce special judicial police at the National Health Insurance Service, it made clear its strong opposition. The association said, "Broker-run hospitals must be eradicated, but blocking them before establishment should take precedence over crackdowns after they open," and added, "It is a problem to insist only on introducing special judicial police while ignoring preemptive prevention alternatives." It argued that handling fraudulent claims and broker-run hospitals on the same line is an "excessive delegation of authority."
It especially warned that, given the service is a stakeholder that signs fee contracts with medical institutions and pays or cuts reimbursements, "If even compulsory investigative powers are granted, it could lead to abuse of authority and defensive medicine, harming public health."
Criticism also continued over discussions to apply health insurance to Korean medicine infertility programs and hair loss treatment. The association said, "It is very risky to inject health insurance finances into a Korean medicine infertility program whose medical effectiveness has not been verified," and added, "Coverage should be based on effectiveness and cost-effectiveness."
On making hair loss treatment eligible for coverage, it said, "It is questionable whether hair loss should be prioritized for coverage within limited health insurance finances," and stressed, "Expanding coverage for severe diseases such as cancer should come first."
In addition, the association criticized this briefing, saying, "We see no proper budget input or plan to secure medical institutions, and only a repeated approach centered on 'designation,' 'evaluation,' and 'loan' that shifts responsibility to private medical institutions." It argued that, given private medical institutions account for more than 90% of medical supply, bold financial input and policies to expand medical resources are needed.
On expanding medical school enrollment, it said, "It is regrettable that there was no reflection on the previous administration's plan to add 2,000 seats and no mention of future measures," adding, "The medical field is already on the verge of collapse and cannot be sustained without extraordinary measures." The association asked the president to "closely review at the state level so that medical care can serve as a bulwark to protect the people's lives."