Tokyo JCP proposes medical care subsidies for 15 years olds or younger

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Tokyo JCP proposes medical care subsidies for 15 years olds or younger

The Japanese Communist Party Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly members' group is requesting the Assembly to adopt measures to support residents' lives by reducing their burdens.

The JCP group proposes to pass an ordinance to provide all children aged 15 or younger with medical care subsidies until they graduate from junior high school, and calls on other parties and groups in the Assembly to co-sponsor the bill.

At a press conference on September 13, the JCP Assembly group's head Watanabe Yasunobu said, "Under the Koizumi's 'structural reform' policy, a majority of Tokyo residents suffer badly from economic hardships. We'll make efforts to meet their demands for a reduction in burdens."

At present, the Tokyo Metropolitan government provides subsidies for medical expenses only for pre-school-age children and imposes restrictions based on their parents' income.

The JCP group also plans to submit a bill to reduce the charge for senior residents' public transport passes and a bill to provide mentally-disordered residents with welfare allowance as well as physically handicapped residents with a welfare allowance.
- Akahata, September 14, 2006