1958 Revision of the National Health Insurance Law.
– 50 percent benefit provision for the insured.
1961 Universal coverage.
1962 Establishment of the Social Insurance Agency.
1972 Revision of the Welfare Law for the Elderly ( implementation: 1973).
– Free medical care for the elderly
1973 Revision of the Health Insurance Law ( so-called First Year of Welfare State).
– Improvement of benefit level for families of the insured from 50 percent to 70 percent.
– Introduction of the upper ceiling for patients’ cost-sharing.
– National subsidy of 10 percent of health expenditure for government-managed
Health Insurance.
1982 Law of Health and Medical Services for the Elderly (implementation: 1983).
1984 Revision of the Health Insurance Law.
– Ten percent cost-sharing by the insured.
– Relaxation of regulations on high-technology health care.
– Introduction of the health care program for retired persons.
1985 Revision of the Medical Service Law.
– Medical plan by prefecture.
1989 Ten-Year Strategy for the Promotion of Health and Welfare for the Elderly so-called Gold
Plan).
1991 Revision of the Law of Health and Medical Services for the Elderly.
– Visiting nurse care service for the elderly.
– Increase in public funds for nursing care from 30 to 50 percent.
1992 Revision of the Medical Service Law.
– Classification of hospitals by function : high-tech hospital, long-term care beds.
1994 New Gold Plan.
1997 Revision of the Health Insurance Law.
– Twenty percent cost-sharing by the insured.
– Introduction of the patient charge on pharmaceutical costs for outpatient services.