Urgent Proposal Concerning Reforms of the Medical System (December 27, 2001) Welfare Policy Committee   Reforms of the medical care system that are presently being examined place too much emphasis on the reconstruction of public finances for medical insurance and other issues related to the health insurance system. The provisional reform measures presented by the government and ruling party must inevitably be implemented to cope with the critical state of finances for medical insurance. However, such reforms cannot gain the confidence of the people if the system of medical service provision is neglected and if the substance of the institutional reforms is such that the increased burden is placed on patients and insurants. What the people desire is the development of a system which would raise the quality of medical services while providing and promoting the usage of such services efficiently. From this standpoint, the Welfare Policy Committee calls for the prompt implementation of drastic reforms and proposes a basic approach as well as efforts to be made with respect to these reforms. A general outline of the proposal is as follows. I. Basic approach to reforms of the medical system 1. Construction of a medical system from the perspective of patients and insurants • Improve transparency of the system by disclosing medical information.     • Strengthen the function of underwriters.     • Clarify public and private roles.     • Establish a “medical monitoring mechanism” to protect the rights of patients and insurants.     2. Development of an effective system for medical service provision • Reexamine the standardization of medical services and remuneration for medical treatment.     • Promote efficiency in medical service management by introducing management techniques of the private sector.     • Introduce the concept of “gatekeeper doctors” to ensure optimum medical consultations.     II. Proposals for current reforms 1. Effective utilization of medical resources through the provision of efficient medical services (1) Publish a “Medical Service White Paper” to manage the results of medical services.     (2) Ensure transparency of medical information through the mandatory issuance of statements, etc.     (3) Conduct an extensive review of medical care for the elderly which leans heavily on the contribution system for elderly healthcare. 2. Incorporation of various services in the drastic reform plan for the insurance system 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000