Nursing bill, discussions concluded in welfare subcommittee... scope of PA duties to be included in enforcement ordinance = Korea

The nursing bill in South Korea has made new progress. On the 27th, a subcommittee under the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee concluded its discussions, paving the way for legal protection of the medical practice of nurses.
The Welfare Committee held a Bill Review Subcommittee 1 meeting at 7 p.m. on the same day and deliberated the Nursing Bill.
The main purpose of the bill is to legally protect the medical activities of PAs (Practical Assistants). The government's proposed amendments compiled by the subcommittee specifically define the scope of work for PAs in the enforcement ordinance.
The government has indicated its intention to stipulate this in the bill. This heavily reflects the opposition parties' arguments. The ruling party, People's Power, has been calling for the scope of work for PA nurses to be clearly stated as "examination, diagnosis, treatment, medication, and procedures."
In addition, the educational qualifications required to take the exam to become a nursing assistant (a nurse's assistant), which was another point of contention, was excluded from the bill and was instead taken up as an additional opinion that would leave room for future discussion.
They are arguing that the educational standards for entrance exams should be expanded to include not only graduates of specialized high schools and colleges (various types of cram schools), but also those who have graduated from vocational schools, but the opposition parties are opposed to this.
Meanwhile, as the bill was agreed upon by the ruling and opposition parties, it can be voted on in the general meeting of the Welfare Committee and the Legislation and Judiciary Committee on the morning of the 28th.
Therefore, it is expected that the bill will be finally dealt with at the plenary session scheduled for the afternoon of the same day. Until now, the ruling and opposition parties have been divided and at odds over the scope of PA duties in the nursing bill.
However, the health and medical workers' union announced a teaser for a strike on the 29th, which prompted calls for the nursing bill to be processed quickly. In response to this pressure, the ruling and opposition parties proceeded with discussions in subcommittees and agreed to a resolution.
Attempts have been made to resolve the differences in views.