On 24 November, it was reported that the government is adjusting policies to prioritize citizens aged 75 and above.
The move aims to better account for financial income, including stock dividends, and incorporate this into out-of-pocket medical expenses and insurance premiums. The plan expects those who can afford to pay to bear a larger share, easing the insurance burden on the working population.
Officials noted that setting up a system to collect income data will be challenging, and full implementation is likely to take several years. A bill amending the relevant laws is scheduled for submission to the ordinary Diet session next year.
The system under consideration includes the Medical Care System for the Elderly, which serves those aged 75 and above, and the National Health Insurance system, which covers self-employed individuals aged 74 and under.
Currently, insurance premiums and out-of-pocket medical expenses are calculated by municipalities based on income sources such as salaries and pensions. However, dividends from stocks and bonds are only accounted for if individuals have filed tax returns, leaving no mechanism to verify income for those who have not filed. This gap has drawn criticism for being unfair.