President Moon: "Two Additional Supports for Infertility Treatments... Free Cervical Cancer Vaccines Expanded to Under 17"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] President Moon Jae-in proposed in his response to a national petition to provide two additional supports for infertility treatments and to expand the free cervical cancer vaccine from girls under 12 to those under 17 years old.

On the 19th, marking the 4th anniversary of the national petition system, President Moon personally responded, saying, "Many petitions expressed that the financial burden for infertility treatment is too great, and I empathize with that."

President Moon emphasized, "Our government first applied health insurance coverage to infertility treatment in October 2017," adding, "Previously, patients had to bear all costs ranging from 3 million to 5 million won per treatment, but with health insurance coverage, we have lowered the barrier to infertility treatment."

He continued, "In this era of low birth rates, it is necessary for the nation to expand government support related to infertility," and stated, "We will further expand support for infertility treatment costs so that from the fourth quarter of this year, two additional treatments can be supported."

He also announced that for women under 44 years old, the out-of-pocket rate, which was up to 50% depending on the number of treatments, will be uniformly reduced to 30%.

President Moon said, "We will also ensure that the 'infertility treatment leave system' implemented under our government is well established in the field," and encouraged, "I hope employers will actively promote infertility treatment leave."

Regarding the petition requesting expansion of support for cervical cancer vaccine inoculation, the government stated, "We will expand the free cervical cancer vaccine inoculation target from female adolescents under 12 years old to those under 17 years old so that all female adolescents can benefit from free preventive vaccination."

Additionally, "For women aged 18 to 26, free vaccinations will be provided starting with low-income groups, and the target will gradually be expanded," he added.

Regarding the petition titled 'Please prevent public health center nurses from collapsing due to exhaustion,' he said, "We will continue to expand nursing staff and simultaneously improve working conditions and treatment so that nursing personnel can receive fair compensation."

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