Whose Essential Medical Care? Whose Crisis?: Thinking from People’s Lives*

Abstract

This commentary discusses the issue of essential medical care in South Korea, shedding light on the implicit assumptions often overlooked in relevant discussions. The concept of “essential medical care” presently lacks a precise definition; it is understood primarily through the statements and deliberations of government officials and experts. The framing of a "crisis in essential medical care" is therefore questionable, as are the policy interventions predicated on this framing. This commentary raises pertinent questions about the standpoints from which essential medical care and crises in essential medical care are analyzed, underscoring the need for elucidating the perspectives from which such analyses are given. It is argued that neglect for this point may result in the favoring of the views of those in positions of influence at the expense of the welfare of those grappling with adversity in the healthcare system. This commentary examines several aspects of essential medical care and provides insight into the policymaking process and its implications for essential medical care.