What I Want to Achieve as Prime Minister Kono Taro-3 Reducing the Insurance Premium Burden on the Working Generation.
I believe it is necessary to reduce the burden of insurance premiums on the working generation. In fiscal year 2021, the Japan Health Insurance Association (Kyokai Kenpo) collected 9.9 trillion yen in insurance premiums, while the medical insurance benefits amounted to 6.7 trillion yen. However, during this same year, 2.2 trillion yen was paid from Kyokai Kenpo as contributions to support the medical care system for the elderly, and 1.6 trillion yen was paid as contributions for early retirees.
In the case of health insurance societies of large companies, the total insurance premium income in fiscal year 2021 was 8.3 trillion yen, and the medical insurance benefits amounted to 4.2 trillion yen. Similarly, 2 trillion yen was paid as contributions to support the medical care system for the elderly, and 1.6 trillion yen was paid as contributions for early retirees.
In the case of Kyokai Kenpo, approximately 38% of the health insurance premiums paid by workers is spent outside Kyokai Kenpo as 'support funds,' and in the case of health insurance societies, approximately 43% is also spent outside the society as 'support funds.'
Insurance is originally supposed to share risks within the group to which one belongs, but if 40% of the funds collected are being spent outside the group, isn't this more like a 'tax' than 'insurance'?
In other words, under the current system, a significant portion of the medical costs for the elderly is being borne by the working generation as a 'tax' on their wages. Unlike taxes, insurance premiums are easier to raise, which results in a heavier burden of insurance premiums based on the salaries of the working generation.
In order to generate the resources needed for wage increases in small and medium-sized enterprises, and to ensure that the burden on the working generation does not become excessive, it is necessary to further enhance mutual support within the elderly generation.