The National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee continued its second day of audits on the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on October 8. Following the morning session focused on national university hospitals, the afternoon session addressed significant healthcare issues, including the expansion of non-face-to-face prescription delivery, the cover-up of consecutive patient deaths at a large dental clinic, marketing practices by private insurance companies that prioritize profits, and the ongoing challenges facing community integrated care.
Notably, the session featured numerous witnesses, including the president of the Korean Pharmaceutical Association, representatives from non-face-to-face medical platforms, executives from major insurance companies, and families of victims of medical incidents, who voiced their concerns and criticized the government's response.
During the session, Health Minister Jeong Eun-kyeong and Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency Director Lim Seung-kwan were present as lawmakers from both parties scrutinized the government's policy gaps and management issues through witness testimonies.
'Controversy Over Full Allowance of Non-Face-to-Face Prescription Delivery: 'Threat to Public Safety' vs 'Need for Rational Discussion'
A heated topic during the session was whether to fully allow prescription delivery associated with non-face-to-face medical consultations. The Ministry of Health and Welfare recently hinted at expanding this practice, leading to sharp divisions between the pharmaceutical and platform industries.
Korean Pharmaceutical Association President Kwon Young-hee stated, "Unlike commercial products, pharmaceuticals are directly related to life, making face-to-face medication guidance essential. It is unacceptable for the government to discuss a full expansion before the law takes effect on December 24, without any post-evaluation or data collection from the temporary prescription delivery allowed during the pandemic."
In contrast, Jeong Jin-woong, CEO of the non-face-to-face medical platform Doctor Now, argued, "Many patients receiving non-face-to-face consultations face the inconvenience of having to pick up their medications in person. We want to find a rational solution to improve access to medications for the public and foster cooperation with local pharmacies."
Health Committee Chair Im Man-hee and Democratic Party lawmaker Nam In-soon cautioned against the government abruptly overturning a 15-year agreement reached with the medical and pharmaceutical sectors, which could undermine trust. In response, Minister Jeong clarified that the government intends to gather opinions from various stakeholders through a consultative body rather than pursuing a full expansion.
Patients Died, Yet 'Sincere Dental Care' Advertisements Persist: 'Frustration Over Medical Incident Cover-Ups'
The current system's shortcomings regarding patients' right to know in the event of medical incidents were also scrutinized. People Power Party lawmaker Lee So-hee criticized a large dental clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, for covering up consecutive patient deaths while continuing to post promotional videos.
Lee confronted the clinic's representative, Son Dong-guk, asking, "Is it reasonable for the clinic's director to film a promotional video holding a luxury handbag and getting makeup done right after the deaths? In the past three years, there have been 22 emergency calls to 119, yet patients remain unaware of these warning signs and become victims of 'factory-style treatment.'"
Victim's family member Lee Jin-young, who attended as a witness, expressed, "Our family trusted the clinic's flashy advertisements and faced a tragic outcome. We urge the government to establish a system that guarantees patients' right to know about safety information that is directly related to their lives."
Minister Jeong promised to actively consider measures to strengthen patients' rights, including mandatory reporting of serious incidents in outpatient medical institutions.
Major Insurance Companies' 'Queue-Jumping' Marketing Under Fire: Concerns Over Integrated Care Failures and Legal Gaps
Lawmakers also questioned major insurance companies like DB Insurance and Shinhan Life for their 'queue-jumping' marketing practices disguised as healthcare services, such as same-day appointments at large hospitals.
Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Soo-jin pointed out, "This is exaggerated advertising that undermines patients' equitable access to care and deceives consumers." In response, the insurance executives acknowledged the issues and committed to removing misleading advertisements and implementing measures to prevent recurrence.
Minister Jeong stated that the government would collaborate with the Financial Supervisory Service to conduct focused crackdowns and investigations into illegal inducements and referrals.
The session also highlighted the disarray within the community integrated care system. Professor Kim Bo-young from Yeungnam University testified that due to the Ministry's siloed administration and the segmented investigation system centered on the National Health Insurance Service, local governments responsible for community care are left out. She criticized the integrated care system for further fragmenting services.
Minister Jeong agreed on the need to reform governance centered on local governments and promised improvements through the establishment of a second-phase information system.
Additionally, People Power Party lawmaker Choi Bo-yoon raised concerns about the legal safety net for vulnerable groups, such as individuals with developmental disabilities, due to the abolition of prosecutors' supplementary investigative powers, urging a government-wide response. Democratic Party lawmaker Seo Mi-hwa shared stories of patients with Tourette syndrome and dwarfism who face unreasonable age and height criteria for disability registration, calling for a comprehensive overhaul of disability recognition standards.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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