Prescription for Change: Health Care Reform in Japan & the U.S.

November 20, 2000
past event image
Corporate Program past event

Evening Panel Discussion
6:30 – 8 pm

Read the Event Summary.

Tremendous advances in disease management, quality of care, technology and pharmaceuticals have resulted in better quality of life and increased longevity for people in both Japan and the U.S. Both countries also face complex, critical issues such as escalating health care costs, access to prescription drugs and a growing need for long-term care. Discussing the current situation in their respective countries, Yuya Niwa, a member of the House of Representatives, a prominent legislator on health care reform and a former Minister of Health and Welfare and Gail Wilensky, the John M. Olin Senior Fellow at Project HOPE, discuss what Japan and the U.S. need to do to meet the health care needs of their people, including policy initiatives that address the needs of rapidly aging populations.


The Honorable Yuya Niwa is an eight-term member of the House of Representatives and the Chairman of the Research Commission on Fundamental Health Care Policy for the Liberal Democratic Party. He has served as Minister for Health and Welfare in both the Obuchi and Mori Administrations. As Minister, Mr. Niwa implemented Japan’s new long-term care insurance program, and in 1997, and as Chair of the Council on Health Insurance System Reform he was responsible for “National Health Care for the 21st Century: Guidelines for Ensuring A Universal Health System and High Quality Care,” a radical reform of the Japanese health care system. He is a graduate of Keio University.


Dr. Gail Wilensky is the John M. Olin Senior Fellow at Project HOPE, where she analyzes and develops policies on health care reform and ongoing changes in the medical marketplace. She testifies frequently before Congress and is an advisor to elected officials. Previously, she was Deputy Assistant to President George Bush for Policy Development in the White House, advising him on health and welfare issues, and she was the Administrator of the Health Care Financing Administration, overseeing Medicare and Medicaid programs. She received her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Michigan.

Followed by a reception.

  • Monday, November 20, 2000
  • 6:30 pm