Rate of medical checkups drops among elderly aged 75 and older

Japan Press Weekly

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Rate of medical checkups drops among elderly aged 75 and older

The rate of medical checkups that elderly people aged 75 and older received in 2008 sharply declined in all prefectures except for Tokyo compared to the previous year.

A survey conducted by Akahata in all 47 prefectures showed that the rate in Shimane Prefecture was 21.5 percent, down from 50.3 percent, the highest rate decrease of all prefectures. All prefectures other than Tokyo (48.3 percent) fell below 40 percent. The number of prefectures which fell short of reaching even 20 percent increased to 28 from 17.

In April 2008, with the introduction of the healthcare insurance system for the elderly aged 75 and over, those affected were removed from the original medical-care system for the elderly.

The cost of their health examination used to be funded by all types of health insurance programs, including the National Health Insurance program, union (or cooperative) programs, and the government-managed program.

Many prefectures previously provided a free checkup service, but after the introduction of the new system, people aged 75 and older have had to pay for their checkups.

Japanese Communist Party Policy Commission Chair Koike Akira (House of Councilors) said, “The sharp decline in the rate is a serious problem in regard to the health of the elderly. Forcing the elderly to pay for the medical checkup service is in violation of Article 25 of the Constitution requiring the government to work for the promotion and extension of the public health. The government should immediately abolish the present health insurance system discriminating against the elderly aged 75 and older and restore the original checkup service.”

- Akahata, December 21, 2009