Newsletter from Health Right Network(2015.Apr)

#1. Policy movement for expending health insurance coverage

 

Government is forcing de-regulation of health care and health insurance in the name of medical privatization. This is making health care service encroached by for-profit industries, increasing medical cost for the people, and diminishing public health care coverage. Health Right Network is operating various policy improvement activities to reflect people’s concern about health care and medical need. Major activities include 1) Requesting policy alternatives for Park administration’s 3 major non-coverage service policy, 2) Posing critics on health insurance finance reform, 3) Re-distribution of cumulative surplus of SHI Financing and preparing for challenge in coverage policy, 4) coping with amendment of “Medical Dispute Mediation Act”, and 5) citizen accusation for medical privatization campaign.

 

#2. Preparing for “National Basic Living Security Act” Reform in Korea

 

Park Administration, which gained people’s vote by putting up their welfare state commitment, is actively stigmatizing welfare recipients and tracking down illegal receiver. Meanwhile, tragic suicide of mother and 2 daughters in Songpa-gu, Seoul occurred. This incidence received great attention from inside and outside the country for it’s tragic nature and it’s representation of Korean society’s brutal structure, which lacks essential social security net for the poor. Even though, the Park administration’s attempt for the retrogressive revision of the National Basic Living Security Act, depriving the basic rights of the poor and dismantling public assistance is on-going. Coping for these challenges, HRN is advocating the people’s right, along with the poor, poverty-action organizations, and other welfare groups.

 

(Article of relevance: http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2987001&cloc)

 

#3. Actions for safety issue along with fire incidence in Long term care hospital of Jagseong

In May 2014, the fire in hospital in Jangseong, South Jeonlla Province, scarified 21 casualties. This disaster showed that safety issue in Korean medical facilities deeply concerning, along with illegal operation of long-term-care hospitals. The consequence of putting the ‘care’ in for-profit sector was tragic. Nevertheless, the administration established no further to manage and supervise the corrupted and unlawful practice of long-term-care hospitals. HRN is fighting to make the problem of long-term-care hospitals public agenda, and advocating for legislation of proper regulation of long-term-care service and facilities.

 

(Related article: http://english.khan.co.kr/khan_art_view.html?artid=201405291834357&code=790101)