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[메디게이트뉴스 조운 기자] While the government is investing a huge amount of health insurance funds into the emergency medical system resulting from the increase in the number of medical school students, it was found that only 33% of the national health insurance subsidy that should be paid to the National Health Insurance Corporation this year has been awarded.
According to the National Health Insurance Labor Union on the 18th, the total amount of national health insurance subsidy that the government must pay to the National Health Insurance Corporation in 2024 is KRW 12.1658 trillion, but as of November, the total grant amount was KRW 4.05 trillion over 5 installments, only 33%. It has been issued to a certain extent. The unpaid government subsidy amounts to 8,115.8 billion won, or 67% of the total amount.
The legal basis for government subsidies for health insurance was lost as of February 13 last year, but was reestablished in May with the passage of the Health Insurance Government Support Act through agreement between the ruling and opposition parties through the efforts of the Health Insurance Workers’ Union and the Labor Civil Society.
However, the government is not providing proper national treasury support this year either, and in the 2025 budget (draft), the government subsidy for health insurance is set at KRW 10.6211 trillion, which is 12.1% of the government subsidy, rather than KRW 12.259 trillion, which is 14% of the statutory subsidy ratio. It was found that 1.6379 trillion won was under-allocated in the 2025 budget.
Due to this government behavior, the amount of shortfall in government subsidy for health insurance from 2015 to this year has reached 18.4753 trillion won over 10 years.
The Health Insurance Workers’ Union said, “The government is saying that it will pay all outstanding amounts by the end of the year, as it did last year, but we are worried about whether the full amount of government support will be paid at a time when the government’s fiscal deficit is serious due to fiscal austerity and tax cuts for the rich.” The problem is ‘medical reform.’ He criticized, “Under the pretext of this, the ‘national health insurance premium’ is being used like a ssamjit money to cover the cost of resolving the medical crisis without the consent of the people who are the subject of the insurance premium.”
In fact, this year, the government invested 1.2 trillion won in health insurance finances in areas that require intensive compensation, such as childbirth, pediatrics, severe/emergency, and difficult essential care.
In addition, the government will invest a total of more than 30 trillion won over the next five years, including 10 trillion won in finance and 20 trillion won in health insurance, and will announce the second implementation plan for medical reform (medical accident response plan and actual loss insurance structural reform) considering the size of the current health insurance reserve fund. It is planned.
Regarding this, the Health Insurance Workers’ Union said, “The government is confident that this will minimize the inconvenience to the people. However, the reserves of about 30 trillion won expected by the end of 2024 are only reserves for the short-term deficit shift that is expected to start in 2026. “This is not a budget that will be used to support general hospitals following the second medical reform,” he pointed out.
At the same time, “a huge amount of health insurance premiums paid by the people has been invested, but the government, which is the responsible party for this situation with no end in sight, has not fulfilled the national treasury support for health insurance and has passed on the social obligations and responsibilities of medical security to the citizens, not the government.” “It resulted in people being forced to live elsewhere,” he criticized.
The Health Insurance Workers’ Union said, “The government must quickly pay the unpaid 8.1158 trillion won in national health insurance subsidy in 2024,” and added, “Through this, we must strengthen the system by maintaining and expanding health insurance coverage, and reduce the actual burden of medical expenses on the people.” “We must fulfill our national responsibility to ensure sustainable health insurance finances,” he urged.
What specific steps can the South Korean government take to enhance support for the National Health Insurance Corporation amid its financial challenges?
1. Can you provide a brief overview of the situation regarding the government’s subsidy payments to the National Health Insurance Corporation and the impact it is having on the healthcare system in South Korea?
2. What measures have been taken so far by the government to address the ongoing financial difficulties faced by the National Health Insurance Corporation, and are these measures sufficient?
3. There has been a significant increase in the number of medical school students in recent years. How does the government plan to address the expected rise in healthcare costs due to this expansion, and what role do you see national health insurance playing in this regard?
4. The article mentions concerns about the government using health insurance premiums as a “samjit money.” Can you explain what this means and why it is problematic?
5. With the government investing a large amount of health insurance funds into the emergency medical system, how do you think this will affect the overall quality and accessibility of healthcare services for citizens?
6. The Health Insurance Workers’ Union has criticized the government for not fully supporting national health insurance and shifting social responsibilities to citizens. How do you think the government can better manage its financial commitment to healthcare, particularly given ongoing fiscal challenges?
7. how do you envision the future of healthcare in South Korea, particularly in light of the government’s upcoming policy announcements and proposed medical reforms? Are there any particular areas of concern or optimism that you would like to highlight?
