The health and welfare ministry is considering cutting nursing care insurance costs by shifting elderly people who do not need intensive nursing care from care services provided under the insurance system to care services provided by municipalities.
Because local governments' financial conditions vary from municipality to municipality, such a change could introduce inequality into the level of services offered to elderly people.
To receive services under the nursing care insurance system, people must take tests to receive certification that they need care. Those who are approved are classified into one of seven categories in ascending order from the least to the greatest need of care.