Gyeonggi Province passes ordinance for uninsured immigrants' 'safe treatment'

The Gyeonggi Provincial Council has passed an ordinance aimed at improving public health access for foreign residents who are not covered by national health insurance. The 'Ordinance on Improving Public Health Access and Building a Cooperative System for Foreigners in Gyeonggi Province' was approved on May 24, seeking to reduce the reliance on private donations and one-time support for essential medical care for uninsured immigrants.

Recent cases highlighted the precarious situation of uninsured foreign residents. One instance involved a Mongolian infant requiring emergency hospitalization for a high fever and urinary issues, incurring approximately 3 million won in costs. Despite receiving 2.5 million won from an external medical support program, the parents had to borrow a friend's credit card to cover the remaining balance.

Another case involved an unregistered Ethiopian pregnant woman at 34 weeks gestation who needed emergency surgery due to fetal complications and gestational diabetes. As neither she nor her spouse had health insurance, the surgery was only scheduled after coordinated efforts from free migrant clinics, support organizations, university hospital social work teams, private medical mutual aid associations, and hospital internal funds.

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Foreigners without health insurance were effectively in a blind spot regarding medical issues.

Under the current system, foreigners without health insurance must bear the full cost of medical treatment. Some university hospitals even apply 'international rates' for foreign patients, which are set by the hospitals themselves and can be several times higher than standard insurance rates. This often leads to delayed treatment, worsening conditions, and ultimately, unaffordable medical bills.

The new ordinance establishes a public health support network for foreigners residing in Gyeonggi Province for over 90 days, regardless of their visa status. Priority support will be given to pregnant women, infants, and individuals suspected of or confirmed to have infectious diseases. The focus is on connecting these individuals with medical institutions and public health services, rather than direct payment of medical bills. The ordinance also includes provisions for cooperative medical institutions, medical interpretation, health information provision, case management, and collaboration with private medical support organizations. Gyeonggi Province plans to pilot '安心病院' (Ansim Hospitals) where treatment is provided regardless of immigration status and medical interpreter support networks will be established.

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We aim to lower the barrier to medical care by including provisions in the Ansim Hospital agreement that allow treatment regardless of immigration status, and that registration status will not be reported even if discovered during treatment.