개도국 'IT 엘리트' 한국서 기른다

Starting next year, the state-run health insurance program will cover essential prenatal checkups, the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced yesterday.
As part of a long-term health plan, the government will provide “total care” for pregnancies and deliveries starting in January 2008, the ministry said in a release. The state-run health insurance program will cover all mandatory prenatal checkups including ultrasounds, deformity screenings, blood tests and urinalysis. A mother will be allowed to receive the services at the clinic of her choice.
As of now, most prenatal checkups are not covered by the state-run medical insurance.
The ministry said it will come up with a list of essential prenatal tests that an expectant mother should undergo from week 1 to week 40 of her pregnancy. The government reimbursement to the hospital or clinic for each service will be decided at a later date. Medical checkups other than those listed on the government program will be at the patient’s expense.
The ministry also said it will establish a program with the government-run health clinics in which information about pregnancy and childbirth will be provided and advice will be offered for mothers-to-be. Vouchers for free prenatal education classes, physical education facilities and nutritional support will also be provided.
According to the plan, expanded vaccinations for infants and children will also be provided.
The ministry also said it will invest in the health care of youth and adults, as well as the elderly. The program will focus on preventive measures, rather than providing more medical services, in an attempt to reduce the nation’s total medical expenses. The increasing obesity among the youths and the management of chronic diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes are among the plan’s top priorities.
The ministry said about 1 trillion won ($1.07 billion) will be required until 2010, but concerns grew yesterday over the feasibility of the funding.
The ministry said it will increase the cigarette tax by 500 won per pack, but a similar attempt was defeated by the legislature last year.
“With the increase of the price of cigarettes, we also plan to increase the annual budget for the ministry and the state insurance fund,” said Health Minister Rhyu Si-min. Prenatal checkups will be covered by the insurance fund, not by the ministry.
The state insurance fund, however, may not be able to cover the expanded services. This year, the policy premium was raised 6.4 percent, but the national health insurance corporation expects a deficit of up to 780 billion won.

정보통신대 '글로벌 과정'

by Ser Myo-ja,Cheong Chul-gun