On March 18, 2025, the Healthcare Medical Solidarity held a significant meeting at the Korean Medical Association's conference room in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. This assembly included 14 healthcare organizations that came together to discuss strategies for addressing impending regulations linked to the Nursing Act's enforcement decree and the Medical Personnel License Revocation Act.
The meeting was triggered by the government's announcement of impending legislative notifications regarding the amendments to the Nursing Act, particularly defining the scope of duties for Physician Assistant (PA) nurses. The coalition, established in June 2022, champions the rights and responsibilities of healthcare professionals across South Korea and aims to safeguard their practices from perceived encroachments from new legislation.
Participating organizations expressed deep concern that the Nurse Act infringes upon the scopes of practice of various medical roles. Representatives voiced that not only medical doctors and dentists but also nurse assistants, radiology technicians, healthcare information managers, clinical pathologists, emergency medical technicians, and nursing aides could see their professional scopes undermined.
During the gathering, the coalition agreed to develop a joint response system aimed at revising the Medical Personnel License Revocation Act, which governs the procedures for revoking medical licenses, especially for those convicted of serious crimes. This move reflects a concerted effort to enhance the stability and management of healthcare professionals’ licenses and reinforce cooperation among the member organizations.
"We will preemptively respond in solidarity with the healthcare and medical fields to the legislative notice of the enforcement ordinance and enforcement regulations," the coalition stated. They emphasized the importance of uniting against any legislative decisions that could negatively impact their professions.
The meeting highlighted several actions that have been taken since the coalition's formation, including collaboration through rallies and resolutions to prevent the enactment of the Nurse Act in 2022. Their historical efforts to lobby against potentially restrictive healthcare legislation have maintained a critical focus on protecting public health and ensuring a fair healthcare landscape.
The organizations involved in Healthcare Medical Solidarity include the Korean Medical Association, the Korean Nursing Association, the Korean Radiological Technologist Association, the Korean Hospital Association, and others. Their collective membership represents approximately four million healthcare professionals throughout the nation.
The representatives stressed the necessity of creating a well-defined scope of practice for PA nurses, ensuring that the duties across allied healthcare disciplines remain distinct and respected. There are calls for the amendment of the Nursing Act's enforcement decree to safeguard the diverse roles within medical care systems!
Additionally, the coalition's focus on revising the Medical Personnel License Revocation Act aligns with their strategic objectives to create a stable and clearly defined licensing procedure that reflects the competencies and duties of various health professionals.
As they gear toward implementing their strategies, the Healthcare Medical Solidarity is committed to address legislative developments actively and ensure that all healthcare professionals have a voice in the matter. Their mission is to advocate for a balanced regulatory environment that would not only protect healthcare professionals' rights but also enhance patient care across the board.
This meeting embodies a critical juncture for the coalition and healthcare professionals throughout South Korea, uniting the various fields within medical practice to safeguard their roles and enhance the standards of the health system as a whole.
