Journal of Practical Engineering Education (실천공학교육논문지)

Korean Institute for Pratical Engineering Education (한국실천공학교육학회)
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COVID-19 Healthcare Spending and Challenges in OECD Countries

OECD 국가의 코로나19 의료비 지출 현황과 남겨진 과제

  • Jeongwoo Shin (Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs)
  • 신정우 (한국보건사회연구원)
  • Received : 2024.09.30
  • Accepted : 2024.10.21
  • Published : 2024.10.31
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Abstract

OECD countries' Current Health Expenditure has reached the 9% of GDP, driven by high growth in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Korea marked 9.4% in 2022, surpassing the OECD average (9.2%) for the first time since joining the OECD. While the share of COVID-19-related health expenditures in total health spending is 7.8 percent, well above the OECD average (5.1 percent), the structure and fluctuation patterns of health expenditures are different from other OECD countries, which has two implications from a health system perspective. First, even in the unique context of a health crisis, it is important to examine the impact that steep health spending growth can have on sustainability of the healthcare system. Second, among the various healthcare interventions to combat the health crisis, we should explore responses that are appropriate to the Korean context to increase the resilience of the healthcare system.

OECD 국가의 GDP 대비 경상의료비 비중은 코로나19 팬데믹 지출로 인해 9%대에 진입하였다. 우리나라도 2022년 9.4%에 이르러, OECD 가입 이후 처음으로 OECD 평균(9.2%)을 뛰어넘어 섰다. 전체 의료비 중에서 코로나19 관련 의료비 지출이 차지하는 비중은 7.8%로 OECD 평균(5.1%)을 훨씬 상회하는 가운데, 의료비 지출 구조와 변동 패턴이 사뭇 다른 OECD 국가와 차이를 보여 보건의료제도적 관점에서 두 가지 시사점을 남긴다. 첫째, 보건 위기라는 특수한 상황을 전제하고라도 가파른 의료비 증가세가 제도의 지속 가능성에 미칠 수 있는 영향력을 검토해야 한다. 둘째, 보건 위기에 맞선 다양한 보건의료적 중재 중에서 우리나라의 상황에 적합한 대응 방안을 모색하여 보건의료제도의 회복탄력성을 높여야 한다.

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