Where Should Long-Term Care Hospitals Go in the Era of Integrated Community Care?
Hello , I'm a long-time operator of a medical corporation running a long-term care hospital in Gumi, South Korea. After decades in hospital administration, I’ve witnessed healthcare policies shift, evolve, and sometimes collide with the realities of aging, family, and care. Today, I’d like to reflect on one of the most significant changes our sector is facing: the upcoming enforcement of the Integrated Community Support Act , scheduled for full implementation in March 2026. But rather than simply repeating the policy points, I want to speak from the field—from the side of the hospital bed, where I’ve listened to families' tears, doctors’ concerns, and caregivers’ quiet resilience. 1. What Is the Integrated Community Support Act Really About? Simply put, it’s a national push to enable elderly and severely disabled people to live out their lives in their own homes , not institutions. The act integrates medical care, home support, housing, and social participation at the comm...