Noh Yeonhong "Medical Reform Special Committee Already Has High Medical Sector Representation... Requests Participation"

Noh Yeon-hong, Chairman of the Special Committee on Medical Reform, is announcing the main contents of the 1st meeting of the Special Committee on Medical Reform on the 25th at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

No Yeonhong, chairman of the Medical Reform Special Committee, appealed for participation by stating that the medical community already has a high representation and sufficient opportunities to express opinions, in response to the medical sector's position that they would participate if their numbers within the committee were increased more than threefold.

In a phone interview with MBC's "Kim Jong-bae's Focus," Chairman No said, "If you look at the composition of the special committee, the ratio of medical providers, consumers, and experts is 2:1:1. Considering that other committees usually have a 1:1:1 ratio, this was done to reflect more medical opinions." He added, "What is more important than the number is the content that can be discussed there, and since sufficient opportunities are provided, I urge participation." Earlier, the medical community had stated that they would consider participating if their number in the committee was increased from 6 to 18 out of the total 10 members, where 6 are from medical organizations.

Regarding his earlier statement that there are no plans to discuss medical school quotas within the committee, Chairman No said, "(The quota issue) is not completely excluded from the agenda," but emphasized, "The special committee is a body that discusses healthcare systems and institutional reforms on a broader scale, so specific adjustments to medical school quotas are beyond the scope of the committee's discussions." He continued, "Especially considering the admission schedules already underway for next year's medical school quotas, a prompt decision is necessary. However, I understand that the government has expressed that if the medical community presents a unified alternative based on scientific evidence, adjustments are possible, though not through the special committee."

Chairman No stated, "While the committee will not handle specific quota numbers, it plans to establish a decision-making system for appropriate physician supply and demand." He explained, "The committee will form several expert subcommittees, including a human resources expert subcommittee, to discuss how to adjust medical personnel supply and demand, how to link projections with specific quota adjustments, and the frequency of such adjustments."

Medical organizations have continued strong criticism not only of medical school quotas but also of the essential medical package. Chairman No pointed out that this is because the system for critical essential medical care is distorted. He said, "It is true that essential medical care carries high risk but low compensation," and added, "Fair and sufficient compensation reflecting the characteristics of essential medical care is necessary. Payment systems should also normalize distortions through bold financial investments, such as reflecting public policy fees. It is important for the medical community to participate in various channels, including the special committee, to present reasonable opinions."

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