The writer is the executive editor of The Korea Doctors’ Weekly, the sister paper of Korea Biomedical Review.—Ed. The recent series of strikes by physicians are different from those two decades ago in many ways. First, the complexity of the issue is different. In 2000, the core issue was separating the drug prescribing from drug dispensing but setting details were complicated. Specifi
The writer is the executive editor of The Korea Doctors Weekly, the sister paper of Korea Biomedical Review.—Ed. About four years ago, I wrote two columns to assert that the government should allow car insurance subscribers to exclude Oriental medicine treatment from insurance coverage, and adopt a similar system for the national health insurance program. To put it simply, I suggest
Taiwan has recently enacted a law prohibiting inheritance to children who neglect their duty of supporting aged parents. To resolve conflicts arising from parents who are dependent on their children, Singapore appointed a commissioner and established the Tribunal for the Maintenance of Parents. India, France, Germany and China have also specified the obligation of children to support their elderly
The current fee for the first visit to the doctor’s office is 14,000 won and for ensuing visits is 10,000 won at local clinics. The fee increases according to the grade of the hospital, and for the tertiary general hospital, the fees are 17,910 won and 13,880 won respectively. In other words, the initial consultation price is about 29~40% higher than the subsequent treatments. Is that difference a