Legalization of PA Nurses... Nursing Act Passed in National Assembly with Ruling and Opposition Parties' Agreement

Kang Sun-woo "To Improve Treatment of Nursing Staff"
"Limitations of Work Scope to Be Set by Presidential Decree"
"This Is Not a Bill to Address Medical Service Gaps"

The Nursing Act, which was once discarded in the 21st National Assembly, was passed by bipartisan agreement in the 22nd National Assembly.

On the afternoon of the 28th, the National Assembly passed the Nursing Act in a plenary session with 283 votes in favor, 2 against, and 5 abstentions out of 290 members present. Based on the total 300 members of the National Assembly, more than 94% of the members supported the bill. The Nursing Act clarified the scope of work for 'PA (Physician Assistant) nurses,' who perform some duties of doctors. With the legalization of PA nurses through the passage of the Nursing Act, it is expected to partially alleviate the medical gap caused by the current departure of residents.

Nurses and officials affiliated with the Korean Nurses Association held a large rally last year around Sejong-daero, Seoul, condemning President Yoon Seok-yeol's veto of the Nursing Act. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

Kang Seon-woo, a member of the Health and Welfare Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, stated in a report that day, "The Nursing Act is a consolidated and adjusted version of three bills respectively introduced by Representatives Kang Seon-woo, Lee Soo-jin, and Kim Seon-min, and one bill introduced by Representative Chu Kyung-ho," adding, "The purpose is to establish an independent legal system for nursing-related matters, which are broadly regulated under the current Medical Service Act, to improve the quality of nursing services and contribute to the promotion of public health." He continued, "The main content includes improving working conditions and establishing rights provisions to enhance the treatment of nursing personnel."

Furthermore, he explained, "the specific limits of the scope of physician assistant duties are delegated to be determined by Presidential Decree to reduce confusion among professional groups." He emphasized, "This Nursing Act is by no means a bill to fill or manage the medical gap caused by the recent medical crisis."

On the same day, the ruling and opposition parties handled 29 agenda items, including the Nursing Act and other bills related to public livelihood, through bipartisan agreement.

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