About 50,000 nurses and nursing school students called for the legislation of the Nursing Act at a national rally organized by the Korean Nurses Association (KNA) in front of the National Assembly on Monday. (Credit: KNA)
About 50,000 nurses and nursing school students called for the legislation of the Nursing Act at a national rally organized by the Korean Nurses Association (KNA) in front of the National Assembly on Monday. (Credit: KNA)

Nurses and students at nursing schools gathered in front of the National Assembly on Monday, and executives at the Korean Nurses Association (KNA) shaved their heads to show determination.

Some 50,000 nurses and nursing school students chanted slogans, such as, “The National Assembly must stop partisan wrangling and deliberate the bill for Nursing Act,” or “It’s the people’s orders. Legislate the ‘Nursing Act,’” at the “National Rally for Legislating Nursing Act” organized by KNA.

Lawmakers from rival political parties also called for the Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee to table the bill and pass it. Those from the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) said they would table the bill to the parliament’s plenary session by designating it as an agenda item subject to the “fast-track” process.

Lawmakers from rival political parties demanded the early passage of the bill now pending at the Assembly’s Legislation-Judiciary Committee.
Lawmakers from rival political parties demanded the early passage of the bill now pending at the Assembly’s Legislation-Judiciary Committee.

“The National Assembly Act stipulates that if a bill is not tabled 60 days after it is referred to the Legislation-Judiciary Committee, lawmakers belonging to the Health-Welfare Committee can directly bring it to the plenary session with the approval of three-fifths of the committee members,” said Rep. Kim Sung-hwan, DPK’s chief policymaker. “Even if the ruling and opposition parties fail to agree, it can be put to the vote at the plenary session 30 days after laying it.”

Kim said the DPK would consult with the ruling People Power Party (PPP) as much as possible. However, Kim added that if PPP does not agree, the DPK will bring it to the plenary session and approve it as early as possible.

Rep. Suh Young-seok of the DPK also said, “Even if the Legislation-Judiciary Committee does not pass it and PPP refuses to approve it, DPK will approve it, by all means, using its majority party status.”

Rep. Jeong Chun-suk, chairwoman of the Health-Welfare Committee, said, “In the last presidential election, both ruling and opposition parties promised to legislate the Nursing Act. Therefore, I cannot understand why the Legislation-Judiciary Committee does not pass it. As the chairwoman of the Health-Welfare Committee, I will do my best to keep the election process and prevent the bill from being buried at the Legislation-Judiciary Committee.”

Rep. Kim Min-seok of DPK said, “The passage of the Nursing Act does not lead to the collapse of the healthcare system as some physicians allege. Instead, the passage of the Nursing Act would help nurses have pride and take better care of the people. The Nursing Act will be of great help to the public. I will pass it by all means.”

Reps. Seo Jeong-suk and Choi Yeon-suk of PPP also said the Nursing Act is necessary for the public’s health.

Thirteen executives of KNA shaved their heads to show determination.
Thirteen executives of KNA shaved their heads to show determination.

The 13 executives of the nurses’ group, including KNA President Shin Kyeong-rim, shaved their heads to press the act’s legislation.

“Both PPP and DPK pledged to legislate the Nursing Act in the parliamentary elections of 2020. Major presidential candidates also promised it in the last election in May this year,” Shin said. “They must keep the promises.”

She called for the Legislation-Judiciary Committee to “stop unjustifiable holding” of the bill and come forward to legislate it.

“The Korean Medical Association (KMA) and other organizations opposing the legislation of the Nursing Act is spreading groundless allegation that the act is a selfish law that destroys the healthcare system,” Shin said. “Those groups who oppose the Nursing Act must stop false allegations for the public health and patient's safety.”

KNA President Shin Kyung-rim announced a “resolution to press the legislation of the Nursing Act’ after shaving her head.
KNA President Shin Kyung-rim announced a “resolution to press the legislation of the Nursing Act’ after shaving her head.

Other organizations participating in the national movement to legislate the Nursing Act added forces to KNA.

“Currently, the KMA and some other organizations say that the Nursing Act is the result of occupational selfishness and threatens patients’ safety,” said Rha Sun-ja, head of the Korean Health and Medical Workers’ Union. “KMA is also adamantly opposed to increasing enrollment quota at medical colleges. So which group is demonstrating occupational selfishness more?”

Nurses and nursing school students hold pickets, saying, “Legislate Nursing Act,” during the rally.
Nurses and nursing school students hold pickets, saying, “Legislate Nursing Act,” during the rally.

The Association of Korean Medicine (AKM), a group of oriental doctors, also supported the nursing group, claiming they are in a similar position.

“Currently, the Legislation-Judiciary Committee is not deliberating the bill for the reason of doctors’ opposition,” said Hwang Man-ki, vice chairman of AKM. “We are in a similar situation to the nurses’ group. Most people approve of oriental doctors’ use of modern medical devices, but we cannot move one step forward due to the opposition of KMA.”

Nurses and nursing school students unfold the large placard, saying, “It’s the people’s order. Legislate the Nursing Act.”
Nurses and nursing school students unfold the large placard, saying, “It’s the people’s order. Legislate the Nursing Act.”

 

 

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