Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party of Korea presidential candidate, pledged on the 28th, "I will strengthen the national coverage for the treatment of rare diseases and serious chronic diseases."
The candidate noted via Facebook that "the entire process from diagnosis to treatment is painful for patients and their families dealing with rare diseases or serious chronic diseases. They must fight not only the pain from illness but also issues of livelihood, isolation, and anxiety."
Specifically, the candidate pledged to gradually reduce the co-payment rate of the health insurance special reimbursement system applied to rare diseases and serious chronic diseases; expand health insurance coverage for treatments of serious and rare chronic diseases; urgently increase the introduction of essential medicines through a rare essential medicine center; and support domestic pharmaceutical companies.
He said, "Currently, while the 'co-payment limit system' refunds medical expenses exceeding a certain threshold, it is a heavy burden for patients and families who must pay a large sum upfront," adding, "I will gradually lower the co-payment rate of the health insurance special reimbursement system applied to rare diseases and serious chronic diseases from the current 10%. I will alleviate worries about treatment costs."
The health insurance special reimbursement system refers to a system that reduces the co-payment rate for patients with serious illnesses such as cancer and rare diseases.
He also mentioned regarding rare medicines, "Currently, health insurance only covers about half of rare medicines," and stated, "To enhance treatment accessibility and reduce economic burdens, we will expand health insurance coverage."
The candidate revealed, "In the past five years, sales decline and worsening profitability have led to the suspension of supply for over 100 national essential medicines," adding, "We will expand the urgent introduction of essential medicines through the rare essential medicine center and promote support for domestic pharmaceutical companies."