Painful Process to Reach a Single Consensus in the Medical Field... Final Discussion Leads to Conclusion (Comprehensive)

The decision is to deploy essential personnel for COVID-19 response

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Seo So-jeong and Jeon Jin-young] As the indefinite collective strike of medical residents enters its second week, the medical community on the 3rd initiated the final negotiation proposal with the government and ruling party through the 'Special Committee for the Fight Against the Four Major Evils in the Medical Sector (Beomtu-wi).' The medical community opposes the four major policies: expansion of medical school quotas, establishment of public medical schools, health insurance coverage for herbal medicine prescriptions, and promotion of non-face-to-face treatment (telemedicine), demanding a "re-examination from the starting point." However, due to differing stances among various medical professions, difficulties are expected in preparing the final negotiation proposal.

◆KMA: "Final negotiation proposal to be derived at Beomtu-wi"= The Korean Medical Association (KMA) held a Beomtu-wi meeting at the KMA conference room at 1 p.m. on the same day and began preparing the final negotiation proposal based on the discussions held the previous day with the government and the Young Doctors Emergency Committee. Earlier, the Young Doctors Emergency Committee stated on the Korean Intern Resident Association (Daejeonhyeop) website notice, "We recognize the necessity of deploying essential personnel," and "Together with the National Association of Medical School Professors, we will keep all possibilities open and review the reallocation of essential personnel to cope with the prolonged collective action." This indicated their intention to prevent prolonged medical service gaps amid the resurgence of COVID-19.

However, apart from the possibility of deploying essential personnel, there is speculation that reaching a conclusion in this meeting will be an uphill battle. Originally, the Beomtu-wi meeting was scheduled to be public but was changed to a closed session late the previous afternoon. This is analyzed to be due to internal differences in stance on government policies among medical professions, requiring time for position coordination, as well as concerns that public opinion might worsen amid the COVID-19 emergency situation.

The Young Doctors Emergency Committee has consistently opposed the two policies of expanding medical school quotas and establishing public medical schools, demanding a re-discussion from the starting point. On the other hand, the KMA, mainly composed of private practitioners, places emphasis on opposing the health insurance coverage for herbal medicine prescriptions. KMA President Choi Dae-jip stated, "The government is pushing forward with a pilot project despite the safety and efficacy of Korean herbal medicine prescriptions not being verified," and "The health insurance financial drain caused by coverage of herbal medicine prescriptions will become severe."

◆Divergent medical community views on telemedicine= The medical community's stance on telemedicine also differs. The Korean Intern Resident Association (Daejeonhyeop) has raised criticism mainly on the three policies of medical school quota expansion, public medical school establishment, and herbal medicine coverage through major statements and position papers but has not expressed a particular stance on telemedicine. University hospitals tend to be favorable toward telemedicine. They argue that telemedicine has strengths in IT powerhouse Korea, can create added value, and that demand will increase further as non-contact treatment has been implemented due to COVID-19, especially in medically underserved areas. However, the KMA strongly opposes telemedicine. President Choi criticized, "The limitations of non-face-to-face treatment are clear and it cannot replace face-to-face treatment," adding, "Neglecting safety to grow the industry is putting the cart before the horse."

Revealing the differing stances among medical professions, the government also urged the medical community to coordinate their positions. On the 1st, Yoon Tae-ho, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters' quarantine team, said, "It is necessary to clearly clarify whether the three policy withdrawals requested by the resident organizations are requests for the government to exceed its authority or exercise illegal authority, or if they are only concerned about increasing the number of doctors."

Meanwhile, the ruling party is maintaining its stance on "re-discussion from the starting point" while focusing on finding a breakthrough, such as reaching an agreement to establish a special committee between the ruling and opposition parties. Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, said at a policy coordination meeting held at the National Assembly that morning, "We reached a principle agreement with People Power Party floor leader Joo Ho-young yesterday (the 2nd) to establish a special committee within the National Assembly," adding, "Discussions will include expanding public healthcare, resolving regional medical disparities, and other current issues."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.