Health Policy Manag.  2021 Mar;31(1):5-16. 10.4332/KJHPA.2021.31.1.5.

Principles and Conceptual Framework for the Introduction of Korean Sickness Benefit

• Kang HC

• KMID: 2514657
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4332/KJHPA.2021.31.1.5

Abstract

Both access to healthcare services and income security in case of personal illness are being needed to achieve universal health coverage, which is enshrined in the human rights to health and social security and international standards on social protection. Income security acts on both the social determinants and the adverse consequences of ill health and thus would break the vicious disease-poverty cycle. The government is supposed to implement a demonstration project of sickness benefit in 2022 and to publicize its more specific blueprint for all workers. This study is to suggest basic principles and a framework to design a new sickness benefit for universal health coverage, which is based on reviews on previous studies, related issues, and institutional conditions. This is to provide a theoretical basis to promote further discussion and to support its decision-making.

Keyword

Universal health coverage; Sickness benefit; Cash benefit; Income security