Many of the country’s top medical institutions are reportedly neglecting their public responsibility to respond to severe emergency patients by avoiding designation as 'Regional Emergency Medical Centers.' This issue was raised during a National Assembly audit of the Ministry of Health and Welfare on October 7.
Imanhee, the chair of the Health and Welfare Committee, stated, "Out of 47 major hospitals nationwide, only 33 are designated as regional emergency medical centers. Prestigious hospitals like Samsung Medical Center, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, and Yeungnam University Medical Center are not included, and both Pusan National University Hospital and Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital have not even applied for designation."
When asked about the reasons for avoiding the designation, Health Minister Jeong Eun-kyeong replied, "Each hospital has its own circumstances, but factors such as profitability and the significant responsibilities associated with emergency medical care likely play a role."
In response, Imanhee pointed out that the reluctance to take on responsibility, along with the opportunity cost of operating dedicated beds (30 inpatient beds and 10 intensive care beds) and low reimbursement rates, reflects a thorough consideration of the hospitals' financial interests. He criticized major hospitals for enjoying the benefits of their prestigious status and high reimbursement rates while neglecting their minimal emergency medical responsibilities that are directly linked to public health.
Indeed, hospitals that do not operate regional emergency centers have reported substantial profits. According to Imanhee, the net profits before setting aside reserves for specific purposes were 43.2 billion won for Samsung Medical Center and 49.2 billion won for Yeungnam University Medical Center last year.
Imanhee condemned the practice of disguising significant profits as accounting losses by reallocating them to specific purpose funds, using operational difficulties as an excuse to evade emergency medical responsibilities. He also highlighted the dire emergency medical conditions in 98 medically underserved areas and criticized the government's inadequate response.
He urged, "With only 20 billion won in annual emergency medical funds and unrealistic reimbursement rates, we cannot prevent hospitals in vulnerable areas from withdrawing. The government and local authorities must work together to develop a fundamental restructuring plan for the emergency medical system that connects major hospitals with vulnerable medical institutions, and submit it before the comprehensive audit."
In response, Minister Jeong stated, "I will identify and report on specific plans to newly establish the emergency medical system in medically underserved areas."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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