What the “supervising medical officer” of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare told me
While I was writing this book, I had the opportunity to speak on the phone with a doctor who worked as a medical supervisor at the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (responsible for providing guidance and monitoring regarding the treatment of medical treatment insurance and the content of medical expense claims). When I complained that my insurance premiums are high, the doctor replied, “From our point of view, in addition to paying our own social insurance premiums, we also pay them through taxes. National Health also receives support from social insurance members, you understand what’s going on.”
Yes this means that each local government cannot operate the National Health Insurance system with insurance premiums alone, so it is also compensated from the general account. In other words, the National Health Insurance system is supported by the resident tax of people who work for companies and have employee insurance (called “non-statutory transfer of general account”).
The doctor said several times that the money collected from social insurance participants was diverted there, and taxes were added to it. It’s hard to say, but behind his words, I could tell that he was looking down at us, as if we were saying, “I don’t know how much support you have for us. Thank you.”
Is that so? I think the most direct beneficiaries are the self-employed and freelancers among National Health Insurance members, many of whom are unemployed.
Do National Health Insurance members “take medical care”?
The doctor also said:
“If the money collected (insurance premiums) goes down, the medical expenses given will go down. To put it simply, Japan‘s current medical care is moderate benefit and moderate burden. low burden. ??
No, no, what exactly is a “fair/moderate load” now? From my point of view, National Health Insurance members have a “low benefit and a very high burden”. Although the person I was talking to had a much higher social position than me, I didn’t hesitate and told him so clearly. Then he became more enthusiastic and said:
“From the point of view of the system as a whole, there is no particular area that bears a particular burden. This is because that area is the one that eats the most. they don’t spend (medical expenses). National Health Insurance members are the people who pay Local governments with fewer financial resources may have higher national insurance premiums. But, again, they still receive money from social insurance ) The level of consumption is high.”
I felt like my stomach was boiling again and again.
2024-11-20 07:00:00
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What factors contribute to the perception that National Health Insurance premiums are disproportionately high compared to other public medical insurances in Japan?
Questions for Interview 1:
1. As a doctor working with the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, can you provide some insights into why premiums for National Health Insurance are significantly higher than other public medical insurances?
2. Do you think the current medical care system in Japan is fair to citizens, considering the high burden of insurance premiums many face?
3. What role does the “non-statutory transfer of general account” play in supporting the National Health Insurance system?
4. How does the administration of National Health Insurance differ from other public medical insurances, and what are some of the challenges involved in managing such a large-scale healthcare program?
5. What are some of the major drawbacks of the National Health Insurance system that have been identified by both patients and medical professionals?
Questions for Interview 2:
1. As a medical professional, how do you feel about the National Health Insurance system in Japan? What improvements would you like to see?
2. Do you think the current system adequately covers the needs of self-employed and freelance individuals, or is there room for improvement?
3. How does the high cost of premiums impact the ability of patients to access necessary medical care?
4. Are there any policies or reforms you would suggest to address the issue of high insurance premiums and improve the overall affordability of healthcare in Japan?
5. In your opinion, what are some advantages and disadvantages of Japan’s current healthcare system compared to other countries with similar systems?
