Stop depriving the elderly of nursing care services: JCP

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Stop depriving the elderly of nursing care services: JCP

The Japanese Communist Party on August 30 published an urgent six-point demand: "No elderly people should be deprived of nursing care services under the adversely revised nursing insurance system."

The "demand," announced by JCP Policy Commission Chair Koike Akira, states that since the nursing care insurance law was adversely revised in April, many elderly people have been forced out of nursing care insurance-related facilities which are no longer affordable for them.

Koike at the press conference denounced the Liberal Democratic, Komei, and Democratic parties for jumping on the bandwagon in support of the adverse revision of the law that went into effect in April.

While users of services under the nursing insurance system were forced to pay their premiums from pension benefits through a check-off, higher user fees made it impossible for them to use the services, he said.

The JCP's "demand" includes (1) easing conditions for users who need nursing care beds, wheelchairs, and helpers; (2) increasing state funding for the nursing care insurance system so as to not increase premiums and to help local governments improve the reduction and exempt system; (3) taking steps for every user, regardless of urgency of nursing care, to be taken care of; (4) taking steps to keep user fees for service facilities as low as possible, especially for meals and beds, and solving the problems of serious shortage of facilities; (5) assisting local governments in taking independent measures for supporting the elderly; and (6) protecting nursing care-related workers and care managers.

Koike warned that many elderly people, especially those who are classified as having problems that are "not so serious" or as low-income earners, are being ejected from the system. If this set of JCP demands is met, the present critical situation will be eased, Koike emphasized.

An increase in the government's share of burden for the nursing care insurance to 30 percent from the present 25 percent requires just 300 billion yen, which is almost equal to the amount the Japanese government is annually paying the U.S. forces in Japan as a "considerate budget," Koike added.

Koike said, "Even some of those who were in favor of the law began raising angry questions and doubts about the present situation. The JCP is determined to join forces with broad sections of people, irrespective of differences of opinions, before the nursing care insurance system is completely demolished."

The JCP will send copies of the urgent demand to nursing care organizations concerned and exchange views, Koike said. Koike submitted a copy of the urgent call to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.
- Akahata, August 31, 2006