Disabled individuals receiving basic livelihood support are facing challenges in achieving independence due to high medical costs, which are impacting their ability to seek employment.
Jo A-mu, a 63-year-old individual with disabilities who has been using a wheelchair since a tragic accident at the age of 26, is under the pressure of high medical expenses despite being entitled to medical subsidies. While the subsidies almost eliminate his medical costs, his fear of losing this support prevents him from seeking nearby job opportunities tailored for disabled individuals, leaving him isolated at home. Recent data reveals that individuals like Jo incur medical expenses nearly double that of non-disabled individuals, highlighting the financial strain faced by those on medical subsidies.
On March 3, data obtained from the National Health Insurance Corporation by Kim Ye-ji, a member of the Health and Welfare Committee, revealed that the average medical expenses for registered disabled individuals on medical subsidies reached 11,022,351 won last year, while non-disabled individuals' expenses averaged 6,246,634 won. This disparity not only demonstrates the higher medical burden faced by disabled individuals but also calls for a reevaluation of the livelihood protection system to better cater to the unique needs of disabled recipients.
The rising medical expenses, which have consistently increased year by year, present significant barriers to the independence of disabled individuals. Currently, if a medical subsidy recipient earns an income exceeding a certain threshold, they risk losing eligibility for these much-needed subsidies, thus creating a disincentive to seek employment. This situation emphasizes the urgent need for reforms in the medical subsidy program to prevent disabling individuals from feeling financially penalized for striving for economic independence, thereby allowing them to contribute to society without the fear of insurmountable medical costs.
