Japan to stop charging extra for pregnant women's hospital visits

Mind boggling…

I wonder just how many people actually knew about this charge? There are plenty of other charges that hospitals put on your bills that you really dont think about because they seem minor, but that money adds up and it's our insurance that is getting charged for it!

The additional fee system was introduced in April with the aim of encouraging medical institutions to give special attention to expecting mothers and their unborn babies.

insane logic, charge mothers more to encourage medical institutions to do their job? Hospital visits should be free for mothers to be. Beauracratic nonsense.

The additional fee system was introduced in April with the aim of encouraging medical institutions to give special attention to expecting mothers and their unborn babies.

insane logic, charge mothers more to encourage medical institutions to do their job? Hospital visits should be free for mothers to be. Beauracratic nonsense.

Exactly! To give special attention should be commonplace.

It started in April, charge was added even for contacts/ glasses if the mother was expecting? Even though 70% was refunded that still leaves a cost. And how much did it cost the government to deal with a new charge, more paperwork ect. What a bizarre way to help new families. LDP is pulling out stops to increase the birth rate and help new families.

Ah, Japan! The land of paying money for nothing! It doesn't matter what kind of service you are receiving or from which industry, there is always an extra charge for nothing.

Taxing food and baby items... and then overcharging pregnant women at the hospital? Hey Japan, do you want more kids or not?

The hospital fee for giving birth was also refunded from city hall.

Technically speaking here child birth is not covered by health insurance so they came up with a system of "refunding" a set payment for child birth.

The amount you get is set, however the amount you pay for the hospital stay is determined by whether you have your baby in a public or private hospital, charges vary by quite a bit and the amount from the "insurance" does not always cover the costs of child birth.

It is also possible to get the "refund" money ahead of time if there are financial difficulties with paying the costs upfront.

What does our gov't think about when charging these fees? I've never seen such autistic-type mentality. Where's the empathy towards a people seeking gov't support to fulfill a fundamental duty / service? It's as if they were being punished for this. But of course, big business takes priority over we small fry.

The additional fee system was introduced in April ...

... it does little to support Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's policy of promoting more births

Jesus wept! How stupid are the people in charge? Why am I still here? Ahhh! I think my head might explode!

I see that Takumi Nemoto only became the Minister in charge in October of this year. Good on him for getting rid of this tax on pregnancy.

I haven't yet figured out who was Minister when the tax was concocted and implemented. Anyone here know?

Found it. Kato Katsunobu. He was in charge of the ministry at the time this tax came into force. Look at the roles he's held (clearly without knowing or understanding ANYTHING AT ALL!). Argh!

2015

Minister for Promoting Dynamic Engagement of All Citizens

Minister in charge of Women's Empowerment

Minister in charge of "Challenge Again" Initiative

Minister in charge of the Abduction Issue

Minister in charge of Building National Resilience

Minister of State for Measures for Declining Birthrate

Minister of State for Gender Equality

2016

Minister for Working-style Reform

Minister in charge of Women's Empowerment

2017

Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare

Outrageous lack of thinking on the part of the government!

Ah, Japan! The land of paying money for nothing! It doesn't matter what kind of service you are receiving or from which industry, there is always an extra charge for nothing.

Some specific examples, please. I have had experience with the US, the UK, and the Japanese medical systems. The Japanese is easily the best. The New York Times has repeatedly carried articles about the exorbitant and often questionable charges levied for medical services in the US. The UK system is also good but you have to wait, and wait, and wait for all but emergency services.

Yes, Japan may well be the best of the three - but that doesn't mean it doesn't have its problems and cannot be made better.  This charge was pure nonsense.

Male Japanese Exec 1: "We need more money and a bigger population, what do we do? "

Male Japanese Exec 2: "I got it! We shall encourage women to have babies and then raise their fees when they go for medical check ups!"

Male Japanese Exec 1: "I like it! Win-Win! Women have more babies and we have more money. We can't lose! "

Female Japanese Exec 1: "Won't that make it too expensive and therefore difficult for families to have children? It's costly as it is....... "

Both male Japanese Execs: "Quiet woman! Where's our coffee!?!"

Rip off Japan at its best.....