By Yoon Sojung and Lee Hana
Photos = Cheong Wa Dae

"We will make sure that no patient lacks access to proper medical treatment due to financial constraints."

These were the words that President Moon Jae-in emphasized during his announcement of his government's new healthcare plan, a strengthened bill that ensures full coverage for all, at Seoul's St. Mary's Hospital on Aug. 9.

"We will significantly increase coverage so that with just one medical insurance plan, all patients can seek treatment and make a full recovery," he said.

The president said that he will, "First, take care of parts of the medical bill that remain uninsured, like appointments with a specialist, and fees for hospital rooms and nursing care." He said that from now on medical insurance will cover all forms of treatment, excluding plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures.



Additionally, new measures that can act as safety nets for families facing astronomical healthcare costs were announced.

"Starting next year, we will drastically lower the ceiling on patients' out-of-pocket payment for medical costs. Those who fall in the bottom 30 percent of the low-income bracket will only be required to pay a maximum of KRW 1 million per year for medical costs. We will work hard to solve the problem of uninsured medical services, so we can put a cap on yearly medical costs at KRW 1 million," said the president.

Furthermore, the president said that he would create a medical safety net woven so tight that no patient will be left untreated in times of emergency. He announced that his administration would expand the insurance policy to include not only the four major diseases -- cancer, cardiac disorders, cerebrovascular diseases and rare incurable illnesses -- but all other major diseases, too. He stated that patients in the lower 50 percent of the income bracket would be able to receive medical coverage of up to KRW 20 million.

"Should the new healthcare plan be carried out until 2022, citizens' spending on medical care will fall by around 18 percent on average. For the lower income brackets, we will be able to see a fall of around 46 percent," said the president. "I will create a country that looks out for patients and their families, and strives to protect the health of all its citizens; a country of which we can be proud."



arete@korea.kr