Role of Public Healthcare and Public Healthcare Institutions
Government intervention is necessary in public healthcare for publicness and realization of public goods. Article 2 of the Public Health and Medical Services Act, established in 2000, states, “all activities of the State, local governments, and of public and medical institutions to ensure all citizens equal access to medical services and to protect and promote their health” (Public Health and Medical Services Act, 2000). Accordingly, healthcare and medical institutions are for the public and must (1) provide medical services to the low-income class, elderly, and physically challenged, (2) implement measures for infectious disease control and preventive healthcare projects against special diseases, such as tuberculosis and psychological disorders, and (3) services for national health protection and improvement. In South Korea, public healthcare institutions include community health centers that are run by public institutions, the branch offices of community health centers, healthcare centers, clinics, and general hospitals.