Is universal health coverage really better? Unintended consequences of the 2019 Amendment of the National Health Insurance Act for humanitarian sojourners in South Korea.

ABSTRACT:

Background

South Korea achieved universal health coverage (UHC) through the National Health Insurance (NHI). However, humanitarian sojourners under temporary stay permits were initially excluded. Alongside recommendations from the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK), the 2019 Amendment of the NHI Act expanded eligibility of the NHI. While this marked significant progress toward greater universality in health care, it also led to unintended consequences for humanitarian sojourners.

Methods

This study employed a two-fold approach aligned with the trajectory of the Amendment. First, we conducted semi-structured in-depth interviews to analyze diverse perspectives on the universality of health coverage, the benefits of NHI, and the limitations of policies prior to t

SUBMITTER: Ju M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11817425 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature