Seoul: South Korea's expenditure on life-sustaining medical treatments for terminal patients is projected to increase sixfold to nearly 17 trillion won (US$11.5 billion) by 2070 if current trends persist, as revealed by a report from the central bank.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Bank of Korea (BOK) report highlighted that 67 percent of deaths among individuals aged 65 and older in 2023 involved life-prolonging procedures, while 16.7 percent of cases involved withholding or discontinuing treatment. This trend starkly contrasts the preferences of seniors, with a 2023 national survey indicating that 84.1 percent of senior citizens would refuse such treatment if recovery was deemed impossible.
The report further indicated that patients undergoing intensive end-of-life interventions endure significant physical suffering, with their average pain index approximately four times higher than those receiving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Economically, average end-of-life medical spending during the final year of life nearly doubled over the past decade, escalating from 5.47 million won in 2013 to 10.88 million won in 2023.
Should the current trend continue, national health insurance spending on these procedures is expected to rise from around 3 trillion won in 2030 to 16.9 trillion won in 2070. However, aligning treatment rates with patient preferences, reducing them to around 15 percent, could lower spending to 3.6 trillion won. The report suggests that these savings could be redirected to hospice and palliative care facilities, potentially enhancing the quality of life for terminal patients.
Lee In-ro, a BOK official and author of the report, presented these findings during a symposium hosted by the BOK and the National Health Insurance Service. BOK Governor Rhee Chang-yong acknowledged the challenges in preparing the study due to the topic's sensitivity. Despite concerns of misunderstanding the dignity of life from an economic perspective, Rhee emphasized the necessity of addressing the macroeconomic challenges posed by end-of-life care in the context of rapid population aging.
Rhee, reflecting on personal experiences, shared that the issue holds significant personal meaning. He recounted discussions with his family regarding his mother's end-of-life care wishes, highlighting the importance of focusing on pain relief over excessive nutritional support, a decision he felt was right in retrospect.