Rival political parties have agreed to conduct an all-night review of a bill that would clarify the roles and responsibilities of physician assistants. It now appears that the National Assembly might vote on the legislation at Wednesday’s plenary session.

Sources within the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee said Tuesday that the ruling People Power Party and the main opposition Democratic Party agreed to convene a subcommittee meeting at 7 p.m. to narrow their differences. 

Both parties reportedly agree on the need for the legislation, but they differ on details such as the scope of a physician assistant’s work and educational requirements for nurse's aides.
 
The ruling party has called for the bill’s swift passage. Health care workers plan to go on strike Thursday and are calling for legal protection for physician assistants. 

After opposition lawmakers on the Health and Welfare Committee met with unionized workers Tuesday, committee chair Park Ju-min promised to make every effort to pass effective legislation as soon as possible.