Joonseok Lee: "Hair Loss Medication Already Costs 10,000-30,000 Won per Month... Health Insurance Is Not a Handout"

"Diverting Funds Away from Rare and Severe Diseases"

Joonseok Lee, Leader of the Reform New Party, strongly criticized the Lee Jaemyung administration's policy of extending health insurance coverage to hair loss treatment. Lee stated, "Health insurance is not a handout for politicians to use for publicity."

In a post on his social networking service (SNS) account on June 16, Lee wrote, "The Lee Jaemyung administration keeps talking about subsidizing hair loss medication. Health insurance should not be a political favor; it must remain the warmest means to save lives."

He continued, "The primary purpose of health insurance is to keep families from falling into ruin due to the cost of treating serious illnesses. It is a promise to collectively support those with life-threatening and financially devastating diseases." Lee pointed out, "The administration claims that including hair loss medication under health insurance is a 'matter of survival,' but for finasteride-based drugs, patents have already expired, resulting in a flood of generics. Treatment is now available for just 10,000 to 30,000 won per month."

Joonseok Lee, Representative of the Reform New Party. Photo by Yonhap News

Lee further argued, "The issue is not the lack of available medication, yet the government plans to inject billions of won of health insurance funds into this area." He stressed, "Health insurance has been running a deficit of around 4 trillion won since this year. Resources are limited."

He added, "The billions spent on hair loss medication come at the expense of funding for those suffering from rare or severe diseases." Lee continued, "I understand the desire to spread money thinly to gain more votes. However, the principles of health insurance must not be undermined for political gain."

Previously, Minister of Health and Welfare Jeong Eun-kyeong stated on June 11, at a policy meeting marking the first anniversary of the Lee Jaemyung administration held in Jongno-gu, Seoul, that the government would consider ways to expand health insurance coverage for hair loss treatment. Extending health insurance coverage for hair loss treatment was also a major campaign pledge of President Lee during his candidacy.

On that day, Minister Jeong explained, "While there is a view that support is necessary because hair loss significantly affects young people's health and daily lives, there is also a cautious stance that health insurance should focus on serious illnesses." She added, "We will gather broad public opinion through forums such as the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's 'National Debate' in July, and then review whether to proceed with the policy."

The Ministry of Health and Welfare is reported to have recently conducted a practical review regarding the inclusion of hair loss treatment in health insurance. A survey of 1,000 people conducted by the National Health Insurance Service reportedly showed a majority holding a positive view of the policy.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.