{"id":2206312,"date":"2024-08-29T08:00:08","date_gmt":"2024-08-28T23:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2206312"},"modified":"2024-08-28T20:22:39","modified_gmt":"2024-08-28T11:22:39","slug":"south-koreas-nursing-act-passage-highlights-rare-bipartisan-cooperation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/08\/south-koreas-nursing-act-passage-highlights-rare-bipartisan-cooperation\/","title":{"rendered":"South Korea\u2019s Nursing Act passage highlights rare bipartisan cooperation"},"content":{"rendered":"
South Korea\u2019s National Assembly <\/span>passed the Nursing Act<\/span><\/a> in a plenary session on Wednesday, legally defining and expanding the roles of physician assistant (PA) nurses. The bill marks a key piece of bipartisan legislation. The Nursing Act had previously failed in the 21st National Assembly after President Yoon Suk-yeol <\/span>vetoed<\/span><\/a> the bill due to concerns over objections from the Korean Medical Association \u2014 the country\u2019s largest doctors\u2019 union, which represents 130,000 doctors.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Its passage in the 22nd National Assembly follows the resolution of issues surrounding the scope of PA nurses\u2019 medical activities, paving the way for enhanced legal protections and responsibilities for nursing professionals.<\/span><\/p>\n WHY IT MATTERS<\/b><\/p>\n The passage of the Nursing Act marks a rare moment of bipartisan cooperation between the ruling People Power Party and the main opposition Democratic Party. This legislative achievement showcases the parties\u2019 ability to find common ground on a contentious issue amid ongoing healthcare disputes. However, this alignment does not signal a new trend, as the two parties remain deeply divided on numerous other matters.<\/span><\/p>\n The Korean Medical Association has <\/span>strongly criticized<\/span><\/a> the Nursing Act, arguing that it will exacerbate occupational conflicts and enable nurses to perform \u201cillegal and unlicensed medical practices.\u201d Doctors will likely continue their protests against the government\u2019s decision to increase the <\/span>medical school admission quota<\/span><\/a>. While nurses may step up to fill the gaps left by doctors who have left their jobs in protest, the effectiveness of this measure remains uncertain.<\/span><\/p>\n