A Finance Ministry advisory panel has called for raising the share of medical costs paid by elderly patients to 30% in principle, arguing the change is needed as the working-age population that funds the system shrinks. The ministry raised the proposal at a subcommittee of the Fiscal System Council, the body that advises the finance minister, and no member objected, according to the account of the meeting.
Members argued that more people aged 70 and over should fall under the 30% co-payment rate. Under the current system, the rate applies to over-70s with income roughly on par with the working generation, about ¥3.83 million or more a year. That group is about 10% of over-70s, while more than 90% pay 10% or 20%.
The ministry framed the proposal on the condition that people on low incomes keep access to care. The panel also heard research showing that when the elderly pay a smaller share, they use medical institutions more, without a clear improvement in their health.
How to ease the burden on the working generation is the central question, as more elderly people hold large financial assets. The council is a consultative body to the finance minister, and its recommendations feed into the government's budget negotiations.