Japan Press Weekly

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2008 April 2 - 8 [WELFARE]

560 local assemblies challenge new medical-care system for elderly

As of April 6, 560 local assemblies, or 30.1 percent of the nation’s municipalities, adopted resolutions expressing objection to a new medical-care system for the elderly aged 75 and over.

It is very likely that more local assemblies will call for the repeal or review of the new system that started on April 1.

After February 3, when Akahata reported that 503 local assemblies were raising an objection to the new system, two prefectural assemblies and 59 more local assemblies adopted similar resolutions.

The new system in question excludes senior citizens aged 75 and older from the existing health insurance program and puts them in a separate insurance program. Those who used to be exempt from paying insurance premiums because they were treated as dependant family members now have to pay premiums on their own, which are to be deducted from their pension benefits.
- Akahata, April 7, 2008