Nippon No Kokumin Mina Hoken (Chiku Ma Shinsho)

[Machine Translation] Japan achieved universal health insurance coverage in 1961 and continued to expand benefits until the end of its rapid economic growth in 1973. However, if the social economy continues to decline steadily, there is a risk that universal health insurance will become a mere skeleton. The key to overcoming this crisis lies in history. Why and how did Japan's unique system of social insurance, the dual system of employee insurance and national health insurance, and the stand-alone late-stage medical care system for the elderly come into being? By going back to the basics, we can see what truly needs to be protected. A leading expert on health care policy clarifies the structure and trajectory of universal health insurance, and outlines a vision for the future.

わが国は一九六一年に国民皆保険を実現し、高度経済成長が終わる七三年まで給付の拡充を図った。しかし、社会経済が右肩下がりになれば、国民皆保険が形骸化するおそれがある。この危機を乗り越える鍵は歴史の中にある。社会保険方式、被用者保険と国民健康保険の二本建て、独立型の後期高齢者医療制度という日本独自の仕組みは、なぜ、どのように生まれたのか。基本に立ち返ることで、真に守るべきものが見えてくる。医療政策の第一人者が、国民皆保険の構造と軌跡を明らかにし今後の展望を描く。