Japan Press Weekly

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2008 June 4 - 10 [POLITICS]

Upper House begins discussing bill to repeal medical system for elderly

Amid widespread public anger at the new medical system that puts the elderly aged 75 and older in a separate discriminatory insurance scheme, the House of Councilors on June 3 began discussing a bill to abolish it.

The bill was submitted by four opposition parties –the Japanese Communist, Democratic, Social Democratic, and People’s New parties.

It is the first that the Diet will discuss whether the newly introduced medical system should be retained.

In responding to questions at the House of Councilors Committee on Health and Welfare, JCP representative Koike Akira stressed the need to “solve the problems arising from the discriminatory system targeting the elderly by passing through the bill to abolish it in the House of Councilors.”

Representatives of the ruling parties stated, “How irresponsible it is to abolish the system!”

In reply, Koike said, “The ruling parties are irresponsible in refusing to end the system despite the systems’ failure having been exposed.”

Another opposition party representative said, “Creating the new system which excludes the elderly aged 75 and over is outright discrimination.”
- Akahata, June 4, 2008