The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has decided to expand financial support from the government as the operating costs of public hospitals in depopulated areas are increasing due to the response to the new coronavirus.
Regarding public hospitals that support medical care in depopulated areas, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications supports the operating local governments with a special allocation tax for 80% of the necessary expenses.
However, in response to the new coronavirus, operating costs have increased and the burden on local governments has become heavier.
For this reason, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has decided to raise the maximum amount of special allocation tax set according to the number of beds in hospitals by 30% this year in order to expand financial support.
Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Takeda said, "We will maintain the functions of hospitals in unprofitable areas and expand financial measures so as not to hinder the securing of the regional medical care provision system."
The special allocation tax for supporting public hospitals in depopulated areas was 29 billion yen nationwide last year, but with this expansion of support, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has raised a maximum of 9 billion yen this year. It means that it is expected to increase in degree.