Japan Press Weekly

Tweet

2013 September 11 - 17 [GREAT EAST JAPAN DISASTER]

Abolition of free medical program threatens disaster victims’ lives

In March 11 disaster-hit Miyagi Prefecture, the abolition of a special measure to exempt disaster victims from medical fee payments threatens their health.

With financial support from the central government, three prefectures of Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima implemented the measure to provide free medical services to the disaster victims covered by the National Health Insurance program or by the public insurance program for people aged 75 and over.

Miyagi Governor Murai Yoshihiro, however, in April abolished the measure in line with the national government decision to stop subsidizing the program.

An increase in medical expenses due to the abolition of the free medical program has caused a decrease in hospital visits by disaster victims in the prefecture.

A 62-year-old woman, who lives on 20,000 yen monthly pension benefits in a temporary housing unit in Ishinomaki City, has had to pay 17,000 yen for her medication since April.

Another 75-year-old resident in the same temporary housing area needs to visit his doctor every month due to high blood pressure, but he visited the doctor only twice after the abolition.

A leader of a residents’ association at Kesennuma City’s largest temporary housing complex, said, “Some moved to the neighboring prefecture of Iwate because it maintains the free medical service program for victims.”

Under these circumstances, nine leaders of temporary housing residents’ associations in four cities, including Sendai and Kesennuma cities, in June submitted to the Miyagi Prefectural Assembly a petition demanding the recovery of free medical and nursing-care services. This is the first time that temporary housing community leaders in different municipalities have collaborated on their common demand.

The assembly in July approved the petition under the condition that the use of the medical fee exemption be limited to specified victims.

Even after the approval, support for the petition has been spreading among temporary housing communities. As of September 7, the number of community association leaders and residents’ leaders who expressed support reached 190.

Past related articles:
> 3.11 disaster victims in Miyagi reduce doctor visits [June 30, 2013]
> Disaster victims call for free medical program to be continued [March 8, 2013]
> Medical groups in the 3.11-affected region seek continuation of medical fee exemption [February 15, 2013]