1. Introduction to the text
This article discusses how the Onuri gift card, which was originally intended to support traditional markets and local businesses, has become a tool for boosting hospital revenues. The government has expanded the list of businesses that can accept the Onuri card, leading to hospitals becoming a major beneficiary of the program.
2. Vocabulary
| Korean Word | Romanization | English Meaning | Contextual Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 온누리상품권 | Onuri sang-pum-gwon | Onuri gift card | The Onuri gift card, which was started with the aim of reviving traditional markets and local businesses, has become a means for boosting hospital sales. |
| 병원 | byeong-won | hospital | Hospitals have emerged as the biggest beneficiary of the Onuri gift card program, accounting for 76% of total card usage. |
| 매출 | mae-chul | sales, revenue | The Onuri gift card has become a tool for boosting hospital revenues. |
| 것으로 | geo-euro | as, to be | A physical therapy clinic in Sejong City recorded Onuri gift card sales of over 1.3 billion won in a year, which is considered a significant amount. |
| 전통 | jeon-tong | tradition | The Onuri gift card was originally intended to support traditional markets and local businesses. |
3. The main text in both Korean and English
온누리상품권이 전통 시장과 골목 상권을 살리자는 취지로 시작되었지만, 일부 병원의 매출 부양 수단으로 변질되고 있다는 지적이 나왔다.
The Onuri gift card, which was started with the aim of reviving traditional markets and local businesses, has been criticized for becoming a tool for boosting hospital revenues.
정부는 지난해 9월 병의원 등을 포함한 12개 업종을 온누리상품권 사용 가능 업종으로 추가했다. 시행 1년 만에 병원이 가장 큰 수혜처로 떠올랐다.
Last September, the government expanded the list of businesses that can accept the Onuri card to include 12 additional sectors, including hospitals. Within a year of implementation, hospitals have emerged as the biggest beneficiary.
병원 사용액이 전체 결제액의 76%를 차지했다. 특히 하루 내원자 250명 수준인 세종시의 물리치료 전문 A 정형외과는 1년간 온누리상품권 결제액만 13억여 원이었다.
Hospitals accounted for 76% of the total Onuri card usage. In particular, a physical therapy clinic in Sejong City with around 250 daily visitors recorded Onuri card sales of over 1.3 billion won in a year.
10만원짜리 비급여 진료를 받고 온누리상품권으로 결제하면 9만원에 진료를 받는 셈이 된다.
If a patient receives a 100,000 won non-covered medical treatment and pays with the Onuri card, they effectively receive a 10,000 won discount.
중기부는 “상품권 할인은 정부가 소비자에게 제공하는 혜택이지 병원이 직접 할인하는 것이 아니므로, 의료법상 환자 유인 행위에 해당하지 않는다”는 입장이다.
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups stated that the Onuri card discount is a benefit provided by the government to consumers, not a direct discount by the hospitals, and therefore does not constitute a patient-inducement practice under medical laws.
정부는 3조~4조원 수준이었던 온누리상품권 발행 목표치를 올해 5조5000억원까지 늘리며 힘을 싣고 있다.
The government has increased the Onuri card issuance target from the previous 30-40 trillion won to 55 trillion won this year, further supporting the program.
4. Reading comprehension questions
- What was the original purpose of the Onuri gift card program?
- How has the use of the Onuri card changed over time?
- What percentage of the total Onuri card usage is accounted for by hospitals?
- How much Onuri card revenue did a specific physical therapy clinic in Sejong City generate in a year?
- What is the government’s stance on the use of Onuri cards by hospitals?
5. Cultural and historical notes
The Onuri gift card program was launched by the government to support traditional markets and local businesses, which have faced challenges in the face of increasing competition from large retail chains and online shopping. However, the expansion of the program to include hospitals has led to concerns that the original intent of the program is being undermined, as hospitals have become a major beneficiary of the Onuri card usage.