Full Health Insurance Coverage for Low-Income Elderly in Gyeonggi Province

Starting January next year, approximately 33,800 low-income elderly households in Gyeonggi Province will receive full coverage of their health insurance premiums.

The Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly held a Health and Welfare Committee meeting on the 11th and passed the "Gyeonggi Province Low-Income Elderly Household National Health Insurance Premium Support Ordinance" co-sponsored by 25 members including Representatives Hwang Seon-hee (Hannaara Party·Siheung) and Lim Woo-young (Hannaara Party·Paju), and submitted it to the plenary session.

If the agenda is approved at the plenary session, starting January next year, approximately 33,800 low-income elderly households in the near-poor category facing financial hardship will no longer need to pay health insurance premiums monthly.

The eligible recipients are individuals aged 65 and older with monthly health insurance premiums below 10,000 won. The annual insurance premiums to be provided total 2.13 billion won, with the province and relevant municipalities each covering half of the costs.

Representative Hwang Seon-hee, who sponsored the ordinance, stated, "Unlike basic livelihood security recipients who are exempted from premiums, low-income elderly in the near-poor category may struggle to afford even 10,000 won in monthly premiums," and added, "The ordinance was sponsored to secure fundamental health rights so that elderly citizens can maintain their health without incurring medical debt due to financial constraints."