Seongnam City, Child Medical Expense Support Project Exceeding 1 Million Won Shows 'Results'

[Asia Economy (Seongnam) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Seongnam City in Gyeonggi Province has recorded support funds exceeding 20 million won since introducing the 'Child Medical Expense Out-of-Pocket Maximum 1 Million Won' project last year. Accordingly, Seongnam City is considering expanding the eligibility for this project from the current age of 12 to 18 years old.

This project is a child welfare program that provides differential payments by income level from Seongnam City for the amount exceeding 1 million won in annual non-covered medical expenses borne by children aged 12 or younger (6th grade in elementary school).

It was introduced nationwide for the first time in July last year as a campaign pledge of Mayor Eun Soo-mi.

By disease, cerebral palsy was the most common with 6 cases. This was followed by ▲childhood autism 2 cases ▲developmental delay 2 cases ▲hypotonia, congenital hip deformity, congenital lung disease, hemangioma, ventricular septal defect, rhabdomyosarcoma, and jaundice with 1 case each.

After the project details became known, the first payment was made in March, and the total number of consultations so far has been 454.

A city official explained, "We are currently discussing with the Ministry of Health and Welfare the plan to expand the eligibility from the current under 12 years old to under 18 years old," adding, "If the target group increases, the project budget is expected to increase significantly from 100 million won this year to next year."

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