What Can Koreans Learn from the Dutch Experiences in Reforming the Health Insurance System?

한국의료보험제도(韓國醫療保險制度)의 개혁필요성(改革必要性)과 네덜란드의 경험(經驗)이 주는 교훈(敎訓)

The measures taken to reform the Dutch health insurance system hold valuable lessons for countries such as Korea, where there has been increased concern regarding the efficiency and effectiveness of the health services provided. The growing literature on comparative health insurance policies suggests that nations can learn from each other. In addition, Korean policymakers have shown great interest in the health insurance systems of foreign countries, particularly in Japan. The development of Korea's health insurance scheme during the past 12 years has made a significant contribution to the increased accessibility of health care services. Although the insurance coverage is universal, the health insurance system today in Korea is by no means a product of systematic and planned efforts. Moreover, it lacks due considerations of insured's needs as well as the long-term objectives of the social security health care system. There are growing gaps in premium burdens and benefits between the rural health insurance program and the employee's health insurance programs. Furthermore, the regional health insurance program is experiencing financial difficulties in spite of the fact that the amount of the government subsidy has been sharply increased in recent years. Under the present payment method solely based on the fee-for-service schedule, both consumers and providers are encouraged to utilize and prescribe more services. The combination of the utilization-inducing reimbursement system and continuous pushes for expanding health insurance has played a crucial role in raising the country's medical bills. Current trends in Korea's health care sector and those anticipated in the near future necessitate changes in the structure and funding of health care. As indicated in the above, there are various shortcomings in this context, the health policy authority in Korea can draw valuable lessons from the Dutch experiences in reforming their health insurance system. The main elements of the Dutch reform measures are a restructuring of the insurance system and a greater role for market forces in the health care system. On this basis a new system will be created which reflects the social nature of health care while at the same time containing sufficient mechanisms to allow the health care sector to operate in a cost-effective and efficient manner.

한국(韓國)의 의료보험제도(醫療保險制度)는 일본제도(日本制度)를 거울삼아 서둘러 적용대상자(適用對象者)를 확대하여 1989년 전국민의료보험(全國民醫療保險)을 달성하였으나 제도(制度)와 효율적(效率的) 운영(運營)을 위한 장치가 결여되어 있고 직장(職場), 공교(公敎), 지역의보간(地域醫保間)에 형평문제(衡平問題) 제기되는 등 구조적인 과제를 안고 있다. 앞으로 제도(制度)의 개혁추진(改革推進) 노력으로 이 분야의 정책수립(政策樹立)과 집행(執行) 에 있어서 경직성을 줄이고 비용효과적(費用效果的)인 의료이용(醫療利用)을 도모해 나가지 못할 경우 낭비요인(浪費要因)이 점점 더 크게 불어나 국민의료비(國民醫療費)가 계속적으로 급속히 증대될 전망이다. 이와 같은 제도(制度)의 질적개선(質的改善)의 필요성에 비추어 최근 네덜란드가 시도하고 있는 제도개혁(制度改革)은 우리에게 여러가지 귀중한 교훈을 던져주고 있다고 판단된다. 네덜란드의 개혁안은 시장경쟁원리(市場競爭原理)를 폭넓게 수용하여 제도(制度)의 능률(能率)을 높이고 의료비(醫療費)를 절감하려는 취지를 담고 있다. 특히 의보가입자(醫保加入者)가 보험자(保險者)를 선택할 수 있고 또한 보험자(保險者)가 의료기관(醫療機關)을 선택할 수 있도록 관계(關係) 집단간(集團間) 상호경쟁(相互競爭)을 유도함으로써 효율(效率)을 증진시켜 나가겠다는 정책방향이 뚜렷히 제시되고 있어 우리의 주목을 끌고 있다.