Japan Press Weekly

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2011 March 2 - 8 [WELFARE]

71 died because of lack of money to see a doctor

Seventy-one people died in 2010 because they could not see a doctor in time due to financial reasons, according to a Japan Federation of Democratic Medical Institutions (Min-iren) survey released on March 2.

The Min-iren secretariat said, “That number of deaths is just the tip of the iceberg” because Min-iren surveyed only its member hospitals and clinics.

The Min-iren survey shows that nearly half of the deceased had no health insurance card at all or had either a short-term or temporary insurance certificate. Despite having regular insurance cards, 29 died from delay in seeking medical attention, possibly because they were unable to pay their mandatory share of medical expenses at a hospital. Many of them were unemployed or had irregular jobs. About 70% were in their 50s and 60s.

In recent years, Min-iren has strengthened efforts to increase the number of medical institutions that provide free or low-fee medical services for needy patients.

Min-iren is urgently proposing that everyone be issued a regular insurance card, that patients’ share of payments at hospital be reduced, and that medical expenses be free for elderly people and children.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the start of the universal public health insurance system. Min-iren Secretary General Nagase Fumio said, “The national and local governments should conduct surveys on the actual conditions and take necessary measures in compliance with Article 25 of the Constitution.”