Government submits bill to further increase workers' burden of medical treatment

The government on March 1 approved a draft bill to increase salaried workers share of payment of medical costs to 30 percent from the present 20 percent, to commence in April 2003.

Under the new system, two hospital visits for treatment of flu will cost the patient 1,500 yen or more instead of 1,000 yen at present, and an operation for appendicitis with seven-day hospitalization will cost 79,220 yen.

The upper limit of charges on medical treatment of elderly out-patients 70 and older will be raised to 40,200 yen from the current 3,000 yen from October this year.

The Koizumi Cabinet argues that the bill to amend the National Health Insurance Law is necessary for curbing medical expenditure. It also wants to use the revision of the medical insurance system as a breakthrough to introduce a new medical care system obliging every elderly person to pay the insurance premiums. (end)