Japan Press Weekly

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2016 November 2 - 8 [SOCIAL ISSUES]

Iwate gov. extends free medical program for 2011 disaster victims

The Iwate governor who won last year’s election backed by the Japanese Communist and other parties on November 4 said that the prefecture will extend the free medical care program for victims of the 2011 massive earthquake and tsunami. The JCP’s efforts and citizens’ movements have effectively borne fruit.

The governor’s announcement came after the prefectural assembly in July adopted a petition submitted by residents and medical experts calling for the extension of the financial support for medical treatment. Three JCP assembly members called on the prefecture to respond to the petition, saying that the free medical service program is a lifeline for disaster victims.

Governor Tasso Takuya at a plenary session of the prefectural assembly expressed his intent to provide the financial support for another year so that those affected by the 2011 disaster will continue to be exempted from paying medical fees and nursing-care service charges until the end of 2017. The program was scheduled to expire next month.

The governor explained that many municipalities in the prefecture requested an extension of the support program. He said, “Many residents are still experiencing a hard life in temporary housing units. The prefectural government will maintain the financial support program in order to ensure that victims can receive medical services without anxiety.”

Saito Shin, the chief of the JCP prefectural assembly members’ group, welcomed the governor’s announcement by saying, “The governor responded to Iwate residents’ most urgent demand.”


Past related articles:
> JCP backs antiwar-bills candidate in Iwate gubernatorial election [August 20 & 21, 2015]
> Abolition of free medical program threatens disaster victims’ lives [September 11, 2013]