{"id":2200906,"date":"2023-05-03T19:20:43","date_gmt":"2023-05-03T10:20:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2200906"},"modified":"2023-05-04T19:00:40","modified_gmt":"2023-05-04T10:00:40","slug":"politics-of-care-uproar-over-nursing-law-sets-up-difficult-decision-for-yoon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2023\/05\/politics-of-care-uproar-over-nursing-law-sets-up-difficult-decision-for-yoon\/","title":{"rendered":"Politics of care: Uproar over nursing law sets up difficult decision for Yoon"},"content":{"rendered":"
A new law on nursing practices has ignited a fiery debate between South Korea\u2019s largest nursing union and various health and medical organizations over how medical professionals provide care in the country.<\/span><\/p>\n The Korea Nurses Association (KNA) maintains that the <\/span>Nursing Act<\/span><\/a> will improve health care by expanding when and where nurses can provide medical care. This may be particularly important for South Korea\u2019s rapidly aging and rural population.<\/span><\/p>\n But opponents, including the country\u2019s largest doctors\u2019 union, say the act\u2019s broad language could allow nurses to dispense medical care and treatment outside the oversight of licensed doctors.<\/span><\/p>\n Beyond these concerns, the debate also reveals the underlying political conflict between the ruling People Power Party (PPP) and the main opposition Democratic Party (DP).<\/span><\/p>\n The Nursing Act, which addresses nurses\u2019 rights, welfare, scope of work and licensing, was passed on a purely partisan basis by the DP-controlled National Assembly: 179 votes in favor and only two abstentions among the 181 lawmakers present.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n PPP lawmakers walked out of parliament in protest and will appeal to President Yoon Suk-yeol to <\/span>veto the bill<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n CONFLICT OVER WORDS<\/b><\/p>\n The crux of the controversy is twofold. First, opponents take issue with the bill\u2019s broad language. Second, they criticize the DP\u2019s decision to bring the Nursing Act directly to the plenary session without first debating the issue with the PPP.<\/span><\/p>\n The word that has gotten the law\u2019s opponents up in arms is \u201ccommunities.\u201d Article one of the Nursing Act begins, \u201cThis law aims to establish necessary regulations regarding nursing so that all citizens can receive high-quality nursing benefits in medical institutions and communities, thereby promoting the improvement of medical quality and patient safety, and ultimately contributing to the enhancement of public health.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n South Korea\u2019s <\/span>Medical Service Act<\/span><\/a> stipulates that one of the duties nurses perform is the provision of medical assistance \u201cunder the guidance of a physician, dentist or oriental medical doctor.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The KNA union says the new law will empower nurses to address the <\/span>medical and treatment demands<\/span><\/a> of an aging society. \u201cA significant number of patients with chronic illnesses receive treatment at home rather than being hospitalized,\u201d one expert <\/span>told<\/span><\/a> South Korea\u2019s <\/span>Hankyoreh<\/span><\/i> newspaper. The Medical Service Act limits the ability of nurses to provide care, especially in remote areas, without a licensed doctor present.<\/span><\/p>\n On the other hand, the Korean Medical Association doctor\u2019s union, which represents 130,000 doctors, argues that the new act\u2019s broad use of the word \u201ccommunities\u201d makes it possible for nurses to become primary care providers outside the guidance of licensed doctors and could even allow them to establish their own practices.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cNurses can already provide medical assistance to patients who are at home under existing laws, provided that they provide reports to doctors and get doctors\u2019 permission,\u201d KMA spokesperson Kim E-yeon told <\/span>Korea Pro<\/span><\/i>. \u201cWe think nurses\u2019 claims that the new law allows them to provide home care medical assistance is not justified.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Kim said the KMA and other medical groups consulted with legislators after the Nursing Act was first introduced and requested the removal of the phrase \u201ccommunities,\u201d but that the DP ignored their requests.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe DP passed this law with incredible speed for political purposes. From our point of view, it is difficult for us to accept this law as the DP ignored 4 million other health care workers just to side with nurses,\u201d Kim added.<\/span><\/p>\n Thirteen health care organizations, including the KMA, have agreed to protest the new law. They took part in a partial strike on Wednesday and plan to organize another protest on May 11. And they say they plan to organize a much larger protest on May 17 if President Yoon Suk-yeol declines to veto the bill.<\/span><\/p>\n