The government has disclosed a plan to raise the out-of-pocket share paid by elderly people considered to have high incomes for services received under the nursing care insurance system from the current 10 percent to 20 percent.
Although increases in out-of-pocket payments by wealthier people to sustain the insurance system may be inevitable, the government must ensure equitability among participants in the insurance system. It is particularly problematic that while the government can accurately figure out the income of company employees, it is having difficulties doing the same for the self-employed. If the government cannot calculate individuals' income accurately, it will be difficult to ensure equitability.
Currently, participants in the nursing care insurance system shoulder 10 percent of the cost of services. If they reside in special nursing homes for the elderly, they have to pay heating, lighting and city water expenses plus part of the cost for food in addition to 10 percent of the overall cost for services.