Significant Improvement in Government Support for Infertile Couples and Families with Multiple Births
- Regdate2023-08-16 10:26
- Hit1,500
Significant Improvement in Government Support
for Infertile Couples and Families with Multiple Births through Expanded Vouchers for Pregnancy and Childbirth Medical Expenses
Customized support programs based on feedback from infertile couples and families with multiple births will in place
KRW 1 million of pregnancy and childbirth medical expense voucher will be plused to KRW 1.4 million per each additional number of fetus
Pregnant women are allowed to apply for shorter work hours from the 8th month of pregnancy or later, instead of the 9th month or later
Childbirth leave for spouses of multiple births will be extended from '10 days' to '15 days'
Number of post-childbirth caregivers a mother can get support from will increase according to the number of newborns, and the service period will be also increased up to 40 days
<Summary>
The Ministry of Health and Welfare (Minister Cho, KyooHong) announced the “Customized Support Policy for Infertile Couples and Families with Multiple Births” on July 27th. The policy is designed based on opinions collected from infertile couples and families with multiple childbirths at a meeting held in May and was finalized and approved by the Presidential Committee on Aging Society and Population Policy.
The policy includes measures to provide support to couples wishing to bear a child, given the increasing population facing infertility due to delayed marriages and an increase in multiple births (twins or more) resulting from fertility treatments.
Firstly, the policy includes expanded vouchers for medical expenses associated with pregnancy and childbirth. Currently, a woman pregnant with a single child is eligible to receive KRW 1 million in government support and those pregnant with multiple newborns can receive a lump sum KRW 1.4 million payment. The government will increase the total amount of vouchers in a way that KRW 1 million of pregnancy and childbirth medical expense voucher is plused to KRW 1.4 million per each additional number of fetus, reflecting the reality of increased medical expenses for pregnant with multiple newborns.
The Labor Standards Act will be revised accordingly as well to allow pregnant women to apply for shorter work hours from the 8th month or later, instead of the 9th month or later. In addition, spouses of multiple births will be allowed to take a childbirth leave of up to 15 days from 10 days previously, so that they can assist their spouses to recover after giving birth.
Moreover, families with multiple births will be eligible to receive greater support for post-childbirth care for a longer period of time. Currently, families with multiple births are eligible for up to two caregivers in support for up to 25 days, but starting from 2024, the number of caregivers per family will increase according to the number of newborns, and the service period will be increased up to 40 days. The regulations will be amended to allow local municipalities to provide these necessary supports.
Minister Cho, KyooHong said, “Building upon the new policy, the government is fully committed to working out pragmatic policies that can deliver meaningful help for couples hoping to give birth to and raise a child, in a bid to stem the fast-declining domestic birth rate.” ///
★230727 - (MOHW) Significant Improvement in Government Support for Infertile Couples and Families with Multiple Births.pdf