Teller window payment burden for those over 75 years old - calculated at a standard rate of 20% of income – a substantial review at the beginning of the year

Recently NHK News On-line reported the following:

75歳以上の窓口負担２割負担の所得基準 年明け具体的検討へ

2019年12月25日 22時36分

75歳以上の人の病院などでの窓口負担を所得に応じて２割に引き上げる政府の検討会議の方針をめぐり、社会保障審議会の部会では評価する意見が出る一方、慎重な声も出され、年明け以降、負担が増える所得の線引きといった具体的な検討を進めることになりました。

政府の全世代型社会保障検討会議は、先週、中間報告をまとめ、75歳以上の後期高齢者医療制度について、原則１割となっている病院などでの窓口負担を、「一定所得以上の人は２割とする」と明記しました。

これについて25日開かれた社会保障審議会の医療保険部会では、経済団体から「現役世代の負担軽減につながる」と評価する意見が出る一方、日本医師会からは「重みを受け止め、慎重に検討すべきだ」という声が出されました。そして、負担が増える所得の線引きをどうするかなど、具体的な制度設計について、年明けから検討を進めることになりました。

25日は、社会保障審議会の年金部会も開かれ、短時間労働者への厚生年金の適用範囲について、加入条件となっている企業の規模を、現在の「501人以上」から、３年後に「101人以上」に、５年後は「51人以上」にまで段階的に引き下げることなど、年金制度改革についての一連の案を了承しました。

厚生労働省は、関連する法案を来年の通常国会に提出する方針です。

Translation

On the policy made by the government's review meeting to raise teller window payment to 20% according to one’s income to burden on people aged 75 and above at hospitals and other payment windows, the Social Security Council's subcommittee gave feedback and sounded out for cautious. Beginning the new year, it was decided to proceed with specific studies, such as on the drawing of the income line which might increase this burden.

The government's Review Council on All Generations' Social Security had compiled an interim report last week and stated that regarding the healthcare system for seniors aged 75 years and above, they would be made responsible for window payment at hospitals, etc. at 10% as a principle, and specified that “ at 20% for people with higher income at certain level. "

In the Health Insurance Subcommittee of the Social Security Council held on March 25, while economic groups commented that it would "reduce the burden on presently working generations," the Japan Medical Association said, "we will bear the weight and it should be considered carefully". Following that from the beginning of the year, the specific institutional design such as how to draw the line on the burden based on increased income would be considered.

On the 25th, the pension sub-committee of the Social Security Council also held a meeting to increase the size of companies that would be eligible for employees' pensions for part-time employees - from the current “more than 501 people” down to “ more than 101 people” in three years, and to  “more than 51 people” in five year step by step;  a series of plans for reform on the pension system were approved.

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare planned to submit relevant bills to the regular session of the Diet next year.

          So, in Japan the rich people over the age of 75 have to pay more for their health care service.