24 million people sign against heavier burdens in medical care

The number of signatures against the Koizumi Cabinet's plan that will increase people's burdens in medical expenses has reached 23.75 million (about 20 percent of Japan's population) as of April 15. More than 450 out of 3,000 municipalities have so far voiced opposition to the plan.

The number shows strong public anger about adverse revisions in the medical insurance system. Under Prime Minister Koizumi Junichiro's plan, medical expenses for low-income earners will be doubled.

The Central Council for Promotion of Social Security (Japan Federation of Democratic Medical Institutions, National Confederation of Trade Unions, National Federation of Construction Workers' Unions, Japanese Communist Party) has collected 7 million signatures. The Japanese Trade Union Confederation (Rengo) has submitted 7.75 million signatures to the Diet, and nine million signatures have been collected by the Japan Medical Association and Japan Dental Association.

The Central Council for Promotion of Social Security has carried out grassroots campaigns using pamphlets, handbills, posters, and street propaganda. Thirty local councils inserted handbills in newspapers and published opinion ads. 0 These campaigns have drawn public attention, receiving many calls of inquiry and requests for petition forms.

The central council is calling on more people to take part in the movement to block the adverse plan. (end)