JCP proposes free medical care for all preschoolers

The Japanese Communist Party on March 23 submitted to the House of Councilors a bill calling for free medical scare to be available to every child as a state program regardless of their household income.

The bill is aimed at establishing an environment in which children can grow up in good health and guardians can raise their children without anxiety. It is in opposition to the Koizumi Cabinet's plan to shift heavier medical burdens onto people for medical costs.

All municipalities at present provide some sort of medical subsidies for children with varying conditions regarding eligible ages and household income.

As of April 2003, about 37 percent of all municipalities provide subsidies for children's out-patient treatments, and about 63 percent provide expenses for inpatients. Compared to 1998, the number of municipalities providing the former subsidies is increased by 14 times and the latter is by 5 times. However, some municipalities provide medical subsidies only for children under three years of age.

The need now is for the government to establish a program to financially support municipalities in order to provide free medical services for all preschool children. (end)