일본의 고령자의료제도 개혁 동향 및 고찰

Issues in the Reform of the Medical Care System for the Elderly in Japan

&nbsp;&nbsp;The study reviewed issues in the reform of the medical care system for the elderly in Japan.<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;The medical expenditure for the elderly is increasing rapidly with the progress of aging society in Japan. The medical expenditure for the elderly aged 70 and over is already taking 1/3 of national health expenditure.<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;In order to realize fair sharing of the medical expenditure for the elderly by all citizens and contain the increasing of the medical expenditure for the elderly, it is necessary to improve the efficiency of the medical care system for the elderly and to balance the burden on the nonelderly and the elderly.<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;The Japanese Government have implemented the reform of medical care system which involving the reform of the medical care system for the elderly since the mid of 1990&quot;s.<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;The main contents of the reform of the medical care for the elderly are that co-payment for patients is the fixed rate of 10%, the eligible age range is age 75+, and the structure of financial sharing between the contribution of health insurers and public fund is changed, especially toward increasing public fund, to achieve fair cost sharing of medical care for the elderly.