Japan Press Weekly

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2009 October 21 - 27 [WELFARE]

Health minister; new medical care schemefor elderly delayed

Nagatsuma on a TV program said, “I’m not considering abolishing the present system in order to bring the previous system back. Only after a new system is created within the first 4-year term of the government will it be abolished.”

He also failed to give a clear answer as to whether the ministry will increase the insurance premiums next April as scheduled and only promised to “solve” the problems of the present system.

The Democratic Party of Japan in its Manifesto pledges to replace the present system with another one, but the creation of a new program seems to be not on its agenda. It is highly possible that the DPJ will further delay abolishing the current health insurance system for the elderly aged 75 and older.

The Japanese Communist Party has called for the immediate abolition of the present system and the restoration of the previous healthcare programs for the elderly.
- Akahata, October 24, 2009