7,200 people rally in Osaka against adverse revision of medical system

About 7,200 medical workers, company employers, and smaller business
owners gathered at an Osaka rally on November 17 against the Koizumi
Cabinet's plan to adversely revise the medical system. The rally was
organized by general practitioners' organizations of Osaka, Kyoto, and four
other prefectures in the Kinki region.

105 medical associations which are under the strong influence of the
Liberal Democratic Party, and more than 100 senior citizens' groups in the
region expressed support for the rally, and presidents of Osaka and Hyogo
Prefectural Medical Associations gave solidarity messages.

Osaka Prefectural General Practitioners' Organization president in his
address called on participants to develop a joint movement of medical
workers, patients, and all concerned citizens to stop the planned adverse
revision of the medical system.

Speakers included Nishiyama Tokiko, Japanese Communist Party House of
Councilors member.

A bank clerk from Otsu City in Shiga Prefecture said he is spending
300,000 yen annually on his mother's medical treatment for her senile
dementia and he opposed the adverse revision of the medical system because
it will mean more expenses.

A lumber merchant from Kyoto City complained that under the economic
recession his sales are less than half of what he got five years ago, that
his buyer went bankrupt, and that he has to pay 70,000-80,000 yen a month to
get nursing care for his father at home.

A dental hygienist was worried that under the revised medical system
people will have more decayed teeth because preventive measures such as
cleaning teeth will be more costly. (end)