Reply to the plenary session of the National Assembly Budget and Accounts Special Committee
Minister of Health and Welfare Cho Gyu-hong said on the 8th that “it was not done unilaterally” regarding the increase in medical school seats.
At the plenary session of the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts of the National Assembly on this day, Minister Cho Kyu-hong responded to a question from Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Chung Il-young, who asked, “The increase in medical schools should be promoted step by step to avoid any problems. Is it right to do it unilaterally and authoritatively?”
When Rep. Jeong asked, “Isn’t the medical crisis the first reason for (the Yoon Seok-yeol government’s) plunge in approval ratings?” Minister Cho said, “There are many things that affect approval ratings.” When pointed out that the medical crisis is the main cause, he said, “There are many people who support (medical reform).”
When Rep. Jeong pushed back by saying, “The government is responsible (for the medical gap),” Minister Cho responded by asking, “Congressman, are you opposed to increasing the number of medical schools?”
Regarding the criticism that treatment at university hospitals has become difficult, Minister Cho also emphasized, “I think the emergency treatment system is being maintained stably.”
Regarding the reserve fund invested to prolong the medical gap, he said, “The purpose of the reserve fund was to cover unexpected expenditure purposes,” and “It was used to maintain the health and lives of the people.” He then refuted, saying, “It was used for collective action by medical residents against government policy, not for medical reform.”
[세종=뉴시스]
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The article discusses a recent plenary session of the National Assembly’s Budget and Accounts Special Committee, where Minister of Health and Welfare Cho Kyu-hong addressed questions related to the increase in medical school seats and the ongoing medical crisis in South Korea.
Key points from the session include:
- Medical School Seats: Minister Cho asserted that the decision to increase medical school seats was not made unilaterally, countering concerns raised by lawmakers about the potential for problems resulting from immediate and authoritative changes in medical education.
- Approval Ratings: In response to claims from Democratic Party lawmaker Chung Il-young that the government’s handling of the medical crisis is a significant factor in the declining approval ratings of President Yoon Seok-yeol, Cho suggested that many factors affect public opinion and that there is support for medical reform among the populace.
- Emergency Treatment System: Cho defended the current state of emergency medical services, stating that it remains stable, despite criticisms that access to treatment at university hospitals has become more difficult.
- Use of Reserve Funds: The Minister also addressed the use of reserve funds, clarifying that these funds were intended for unexpected expenditures and were utilized to maintain public health. He disagreed with the idea that these funds were being used to exacerbate the existing medical gap, instead attributing the contention to collective actions from medical residents against government policies rather than fundamental flaws in medical reform.
This dialogue highlights the complexities and political sensitivities surrounding healthcare reform in South Korea, particularly as the government navigates criticism and seeks to implement changes intended to address medical workforce shortages and access to care.