Summary of the Article: “Another power to introduce an envoy, protect national health insurance“
This article argues for the introduction of a special judicial police system (envoy) to combat illegal medical institutions (like “secretariat hospitals” and pharmacies renting licenses) in South Korea and protect the national health insurance system.
Here’s a breakdown of the key points:
The Problem: Illegal medical institutions are draining the national health insurance fund through over-care and false claims. While the National Health Insurance Corporation is trying to address this, recovering funds is slow, difficult, and often incomplete. Operators often hide assets and evade accountability.
The Solution: Special Envoys: Granting investigative authority to employees of the National Health Insurance Corporation (similar to how it’s done for food/drug safety, forestry, and environmental protection) would allow for quicker and more effective crackdowns on illegal practices.
Why it’s Needed now: South Korea is an aging society with rapidly increasing healthcare costs.Allowing illegal institutions to continue operating threatens the sustainability of the health insurance system.
Growing Support: The idea has gained traction with resolutions passed by the National Assembly and local councils, and is being discussed by the government.
Impact: The author, Bae-ja, Chairman of Busan Dongnae-gu Women’s Organization Council, frames this as a matter of protecting the health and financial well-being of families and communities. She believes it’s a crucial step in safeguarding the national health insurance system. Financial Impact: In 2023, unfair claims related to illegal medical institutions amounted to approximately 800 billion won, totaling over 4 trillion won in the last five years.
In essence, the article advocates for a more proactive and powerful approach to tackling healthcare fraud to ensure the long-term viability of South Korea’s national health insurance.
