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

Diet discussion reveals problems of medical reform bill

The ruling parties are eager to enact a bill to adversely revise the medical service system in the current session of Diet that will close on June 18. However, the more the Diet discusses the bill, the more problems of the bill come to light.

Baby boomers are targeted

The bill is designed with an eye on the massive retirements of the baby boomers (who were born from around 1947). The number of senior citizens aged 75 years and older will increase from the present 12 million to 20 million in 2025. The government, therefore, targets not only the elderly people at present but also active workers in restraining the government share of medical expenditures.

Medical burdens on those who are between 70 and 74 will jump from 10 to 20 percent in 2008, an increase of 120 billion yen a year or 20,000 yen per capita.

For those who are over 70 years old with an income equivalent to the still-working generation, the medical burden will increase from the present 20 to 30 percent this coming October. If they are hospitalized, they will have to pay an extra 30,000-40,000 yen a month because costs for beds and meals will be no longer covered by insurance.

Insurance card will be taken away

The elderly over 75 years of age who are dependent on another person, such as their working son, are currently exempt from paying insurance premiums. But under the new system, premiums will be charged to all senior citizens. If they are in arrears with their payments for more than one year, their insurance card will be invalidated and they will be forced to pay all medical expenses at the hospital.

60 percent cut in beds will kick many patients out

Currently, more than 385,000 people throughout Japan are waiting for vacancies in nursing-care homes for the elderly who require special care. Despite this, the government seeks to cut the number of long-term care beds from the present 380,000 to 150,000. This will turn a large number of patients into "medical refugees."

Out-of-insurance treatments will expand

The bill will introduce "mixed medical services" that combine both treatments covered and not covered by public health insurance. While extending the range of out-of-insurance treatments, the new service will narrow the range of covered treatments. This will undermine the public medical service system.
- Akahata June 4, 2006