EDITORIAL: Plan To Integrate Health Insurance Into ‘My Number Cards Just Sloppy

Taro Kono, the minister for digital transformation, announced on October 13 that the current health insurance card system will be phased out in the fall of 2024 and its functions will be integrated into a card with an individual number, commonly known as "My Number". . ".

This means "freezing" health insurance cards that are essential to everyday life to force people to buy "My Number" cards.

Although the policy change was far-reaching, the government was unable to provide a convincing explanation to the public. It was unclear what kind of discussion took place within the government on the matter.

Such despicable handling of the matter will cause the public to lose even more confidence in my numbered card. The policy statement needs to be revised.

An optional system to duplicate My Number cards when health insurance certificates will be fully operational in the autumn.

However, the government has so far made it clear that buying My Number cards is an option and those without one are allowed to continue with their traditional health insurance cards.

The law states that My Number cards are issued at the request of individuals, which means that the purchase should not be compulsory.

In a "tough policy" the government announced in June, it said it was considering scrapping health insurance cards in principle. "If the insured requests it, an insurance card will be issued."

Government officials told DT that they cannot force the public to use the My Number card.

How did the government change its attitude so much?

Behind the somewhat slippery and crude policy change is the government's eagerness to achieve its goal of forcing the My Number card scheme on the public.

More than six years have passed since the cards were issued, but there is deep skepticism in the public, who say they see no benefit or do not want to use the cards and speak of information leakage and possible fear. Abuse.

The government should have addressed these fears and issued a comprehensive statement. But it seems that the reason for issuing the cards in the first place seems to have been forgotten as the government tried to continue the incentives and get more people to accept the cards.

The government has allocated a large budget to those who receive My Number cards to give them "points" that can be used to pay for purchases and other purposes. He also noted that My Number card issuance rates are reflected in the amount of local withholding tax imposed by each local government.

Despite the government's desperate carrot and stick policy, only 50% of people used the My Number card. It is far from the government's goal that all sections of the society will buy tickets by the end of the financial year.

Kono rightly pointed out that marking is an "inappropriate" approach.

If he truly believes this will be the case, he should go back to the current approach by challenging the existing policy, explaining the benefits of using the card and removing the threat.

How Kono takes a more serious approach leaves us confused.

By using My Number cards as proof of health insurance, doctors and other healthcare professionals can see information about patient consent, past medical test results and prescriptions. It also has the advantage that insured persons do not have to renew their health insurance card if they change jobs.

However, all these benefits are subject to the user's understanding and approval.

It must not be forgotten that the amendment of my numbered cards increases the public's hatred of them and their confidence in the government.

-- Asahi Shimbun, October 15

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