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Financing Health Care in Japan: The Impact of an Aging Population

Author

Listed:
  • Tomoaki Yamada

    (Meiji University)

  • Minchung Hsu

    (GRIPS)

  • Gary D. Hansen

    (UCLA)

Abstract

This is a description of some work in progress aimed at providing a quantitative analysis of the impact of population aging in Japan on financing its National Health Insurance program. We construct a general equilibrium life-cycle economy that is used to study the impact of an aging population (an increased dependency ratio and increased per capita medical expenditures) on household's work and savings behavior, as well as on aggregate output and welfare. In particular, taking 2010 as an initial starting point, we calculate the transition path predicted by our model as the population structure changes and medical costs increase, using values for 2055 to construct a terminal steady state. We also evaluate various policy alternatives designed to lessen the negative impact of aging on the economy.

Suggested Citation

  • Tomoaki Yamada & Minchung Hsu & Gary D. Hansen, 2011. "Financing Health Care in Japan: The Impact of an Aging Population," 2011 Meeting Papers 717, Society for Economic Dynamics.
    • Handle: RePEc:red:sed011:717
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    References listed on IDEAS

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