health and life

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

14,000 people rally against adverse revision of medical system

About 14,000 people attended a rally on February 9 in Saitama City to help increase the struggle against an adverse revision of the medical system and a major tax increase.

The rally was called for by the Liaison Council of Medical Organizations, the National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren), and the Central Council for Promotion of Social Security, with support from the Liaison Council of Various Circles to End the Consumption Tax.

Speaking on behalf of the organizers, Sumie Kenyu of the Liaison Council of Medical Organizations stressed the need for a united national effort to block the Koizumi "structural reform" policy that has imposed heavier burdens on elderly people and is destroying citizens' living conditions.

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo, one of the main speakers, pointed out that the "medical system reform" promoted by the government is to introduce the law of the jungle to the medical services in the name of "reform" and to destroy the foundation of public medical services.

Stressing that the proposed "reform" agenda is to meat the demand from Japanese business circles and U.S. insurance and medical corporations, Shii said, "Let us create the social solidarity necessary to fight back and build a social security system based on Article 25 of the Constitution."

Social Democratic Party President Fukushima Mizuho, and prefectural medical and dental associations sent messages of support to the rally.
- Akahata, February 10, 2006