The government has selected 300 members for a public participation group to discuss reform plans for regional and essential medical care and is beginning a full-fledged public deliberation process.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare said on the 9th that it has completed forming a 300-member "medical innovation citizen panel" to reflect public opinion in medical innovation policy.
The citizen panel was selected by considering gender, age, and regional distribution. They will present opinions on key agenda items of the Medical Innovation Committee and draw up policy recommendations.
The first discussion topic is "public deliberation for reviving regional and essential medical care." The citizen panel will discuss public expectations and conditions for use of regional medical services, the supply system for regional and essential medical care, the direction of government investment, and ways to improve medical policy governance.
Starting this month, participants will conduct prior learning and self-deliberation through related materials and lectures. They will also receive support for Q&A with experts via the Medical Innovation Committee's online platform.
From July 4 to 5, they plan to hold a two-day, one-night residential forum to gather opinions on major agendas and produce deliberation results.
The recommendations prepared by the citizen panel will be submitted to the Medical Innovation Committee and are expected to be reflected in the government's medical reform policymaking process.
The Ministry explained that the citizen panel will participate in various ways not only in this public deliberation process but also in the Medical Innovation Committee's discussions continuing through the end of the year.
Son Young-rae, head of the medical innovation task force, said, "We will draw up medical innovation measures that work in the field based on opinions proposed and discussed directly by the public."