Lee Jae-myung Pushes for 'Nursing Care Cost Coverage'... Gains Momentum with Ruling Party's Support

Lee, 'First General Election Pledge' Caregiving Expense Coverage Meeting
"National Burden Will Increase but Reduce Personal and Social Tragedies"
Opposition Proposes 8 Billion KRW Increase in Budget Cut Entirely by Government
Yoon Jae-ok "Acknowledges National Burden, Will Seek Measures"

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, has embarked on a field campaign to promote the inclusion of caregiving costs in insurance benefits (applying health insurance) as his 'No. 1 pledge for the general election.' Although the government initially cut the entire budget for the pilot project in next year's budget proposal, leading to a clash with the Democratic Party which restored the funds, attention is focused on whether the related policy will gain momentum as Yoon Jae-ok, floor leader of the People Power Party, expressed consensus on the caregiving cost issue, considered a 'livelihood agenda,' ahead of the general election.

On the afternoon of the 28th, Lee visited The Saint Nursing Hospital in Guro-gu, Seoul, saying, "These days, caregiving costs are said to be about 5 million won per person," and added, "I have also experienced the caregiving issue, and it places an enormous burden on the entire family, making it really difficult both economically and psychologically." The on-site meeting was attended by Lee Gae-ho, chairman of the party's Policy Committee, and lawmakers Shin Hyun-young, Shin Dong-geun, Yoon Gun-young, and Ko Young-in.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is touring the hospital before the start of the on-site meeting on the policy of making nursing care fees covered by insurance, held on the 28th at The Saint Nursing Hospital in Guro-gu.

Lee emphasized, "Stories of caregiving bankruptcy have become widespread, and last year there were even reports of caregiving-related murders," adding, "Incorporating this issue into the system would indeed increase the national burden, but from a societal perspective, it can greatly reduce individuals' cost burdens and lessen social tragedies." He introduced plans to sequentially promote related policies starting with the inclusion of 'nursing hospital caregiving costs' in insurance benefits (applying health insurance), noting that "immediately making all caregiving costs eligible for benefits would impose a considerable cost burden."

Lee Gae-ho, chairman of the Policy Committee, added, "Because health insurance does not apply, families must rely on private caregiving, which inevitably becomes a significant burden for those supporting elderly relatives," and noted, "Although there are some differences, the monthly average cost is estimated to exceed 4 million won." He continued, "We have secured 8 billion won in next year's budget for a pilot project at 10 locations."

Lawmaker Shin Dong-geun pointed out, "Even without actual legal amendments, Article 26 of the Elderly Long-Term Care Insurance Act includes provisions for caregiving cost payments," and said, "It is a matter that only requires a decision by the state." He criticized, "This caregiving cost issue is item 45 on the Yoon Seok-yeol administration's national agenda, but they are only conducting studies and delaying action," adding, "Moreover, a pilot project was scheduled for next year, but the government completely cut the budget."

Yoon Seok-yeol and Lee Jae-myung's 'Common Pledge'... Will It Be Reflected in Next Year's Budget?

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the on-site meeting for the policy on nursing care fee coverage held on the 28th at The Saint Nursing Hospital in Guro-gu.

The inclusion of caregiving costs in insurance benefits was a policy pledged by both major party candidates in the last presidential election. However, controversy arose when the government cut the entire 1.6 billion won budget for the nursing hospital caregiving support pilot project during the preparation of next year's budget proposal. The Democratic Party recently increased the related budget to 8 billion won in the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee and passed it. On the 20th, at a Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly, Lee Jae-myung emphasized this 'budget restoration,' stating, "The inclusion of nursing hospital caregiving costs in insurance benefits is a project I proposed, but it was also pledged by President Yoon Seok-yeol," and urged, "Stop saying one thing and doing another, and consider the people's suffering more deeply."

The ruling party also showed consensus on the inclusion of caregiving costs in insurance benefits. After the floor strategy meeting on the same day, Yoon Jae-ok, floor leader of the People Power Party, responded to questions about the Democratic Party's push for caregiving cost benefits, saying, "The caregiving cost issue is indeed a burden that many citizens are concerned about." He added, "Our party's Policy Committee will review the details," and "Our party also plans to devise countermeasures."

However, it remains uncertain whether the final budget of 8 billion won, which is five times the originally proposed 1.6 billion won, will be approved, given that even the 1.6 billion won did not pass the government's screening. Furthermore, with the ruling and opposition parties locked in extreme confrontation over the approval of next year's budget, reaching an agreement soon appears difficult. The legal deadline for budget approval is June 2, and both parties must reach an agreement during the plenary sessions scheduled for two days starting May 30 to process the budget on time. However, the Democratic Party intends to push forward with an impeachment motion against Broadcasting and Communications Commission Chairman Lee Dong-gwan according to the schedule, while the People Power Party insists that the plenary session cannot be held without a 'budget agreement.'

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