The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) is under fire for backtracking on its active push for the legalization of telemedicine in a major turnabout from its position when it was the governing party. Some lawmakers of the liberal party, who had proposed two amendments to the Medical Service Act, have been sitting back and doing nothing since the change of government in May.
Rep. Jeon Yong-gi, the party's first-term lawmaker, is reportedly set to withdraw his own revision bill on telemedicine, which aims to expand the scope of patients who can receive non-face-to-face treatment, amid negative reactions within the party. Some DPK lawmakers are even going a step further to prepare a new amendment that could impose restrictions on patient solicitation and medical ads by online healthcare platforms.
True, things have improved a lot for the legalization of telemedicine. Since contactless medical services were provisionally allowed in February 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, telephone counseling and prescriptions have numbered nearly 30 million. Many people have discovered the convenience of receiving treatment without having to visit a doctor. And there have been fewer cases of misdiagnosis and drug misuse than feared.
In fact, South Korea is a laggard when it comes to telemedicine. At present, 32 of the 38 OECD member nations allow remote healthcare services, but South Korea is among the six disallowing them. Telemedicine began as a pilot project 14 years ago here, but its implementation has been delayed.
Reports say that the DPK is overwhelmed by allegations that there's no need to hurry to legalize telemedicine at a time when doctors are still displeased with the practice due largely to the possible concentration of patients at a handful of big hospitals. One wonders if the largest party in the 300-seat National Assembly can claim to be a genuine political party that prioritizes the common good. The DPK should clarify its official position on the telemedicine issue quickly and present alternatives if it opposes the introduction of telemedicine.