Ruling Party Actively Considering Raising Pediatric Night and Holiday Consultation Fees

TF Meeting on Resolving Pediatric Otolaryngology Medical Crisis on the 29th

The People Power Party's Pediatric Medical Crisis Resolution Task Force (TF) met with pediatricians on the 29th and agreed to actively consider increasing hospitalization fees and additional charges for late-night and holiday services. However, they stated that further discussion is needed regarding a general increase in pediatric service fees. Service fees refer to the prices of medical services provided by healthcare professionals under the National Health Insurance.

TF Chair Kim Mi-ae said after the meeting with committee members at the National Assembly, "The government is currently actively considering increasing hospitalization fees and additional charges for late-night and holiday services," adding, "Furthermore, in general, a thorough discussion is needed regarding an overall increase in pediatric service fees."

During the meeting, TF members composed of pediatric specialists and residents expressed opinions that pediatric service fees should be significantly increased. It was also reported that there were suggestions to subdivide pediatric patients by age for additional charges or to increase fees by up to five times.

The party stated that it will continue additional discussions with related ministries such as the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Ministry of Economy and Finance regarding the increase in pediatric service fees. Chair Kim said, "Additional discussions are certainly necessary, but since medical fees are interconnected across the entire system designed in our country and not just an issue for pediatrics alone, it will not be easy to address this issue by separating pediatrics alone. However, since extraordinary measures must be taken, it is absolutely necessary."

On the 29th, at the 4th meeting of the Task Force to Resolve the Pediatric and Adolescent Medical Crisis held at the National Assembly, Kim Mi-ae, the TF chairperson, is speaking. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Lim Hyun-taek, chairman of the Korean Pediatric Society and a private committee member, told reporters after the meeting, "I believe the deadline for fee increases is November this year," emphasizing, "Because residents are assigned in November."

Another private committee member, Kim Yoo-hoon, a pediatric resident at Korea University Guro Hospital, explained, "Our department had 12 residents in total, but now there are only 4. There are 3 fourth-year residents, no second- or third-year residents, and only 1 first-year resident. If there is no support now, only one resident will remain at our hospital."

Additionally, the committee discussed the infant and toddler health screening system. Chair Kim introduced, "Currently, anyone with a medical license can perform infant and toddler health screenings, which sometimes causes pediatric specialists to feel a sense of self-doubt. There was a demand to at least provide additional fees to pediatric specialists, and the committee members agreed on this opinion."

Furthermore, Chair Kim conveyed that there were demands for the introduction of a compensation system for losses related to securing pediatric beds, as well as the need for improving awareness and system reforms regarding emergency room use for appropriate treatment of severely ill pediatric patients.

Attending the TF meeting were Chair Kim, Assemblyman Lee Jong-sung, and private committee members Na Song-i, Choi Yong-jae, Lim Hyun-taek, Kim Yoo-hoon, and Jang Kyung-soo.

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