Reiwa measures to reduce social security costs by 1 trillion yen per year Proposes review of coverage of medical insurance and long-term care insurance: Tokyo Shimbun TOKYO Web

On the 1st, the Reiwa National Conference (Reiwa Rincho), a policy advocacy organization made up of volunteers from the business world, the labor world, and academics, announced recommendations regarding social security spending reform. He advocated for a review of the scope of coverage of medical insurance and long-term care insurance, and presented estimates that “social security costs could be reduced by at least 1 trillion yen per year.”

◆ Excessive hospital beds and long average length of hospitalization are also seen as problems

The proposal points out that once treatments and medicines are covered by insurance, it is difficult for them to be excluded from insurance even if they become less necessary over time, “leading to wasted benefits.” They called for the law to be exempted if it is no longer effective or necessary, and for a review of co-payment rates for drugs that can be purchased without a prescription.

The existence of excess hospital beds and the length of average hospitalization days are also seen as problems. He urged the need to advance the functional differentiation of medical institutions and strengthen collaboration, including with nursing care facilities. He also proposed “visualizing” the effects of medical and nursing care services, as well as promoting digitalization and the use of artificial intelligence (AI).

◆Not only eliminates waste, but also improves the quality of medical care

Nobuyuki Hirano, a special advisor at the Bank of Mitsubishi UFJ, who compiled the recommendations, said at a press conference, “This measure not only aims to eliminate waste, but also improve the quality of medical care, and is essential for controlling increases in insurance premiums.” Ta. (Shunsuke Inoue)