[Changes in the surgical health care system and future aspect of surgery].

Since universal coverage of health insurance of Japan was introduced in 1961. Japan's health care system has become one of the few comprehensive systems from the perspective of national welfare. In 2002, as the gross national medical expenditure (GNME) increased to 30 trillion yen, the Japanese Government employed a policy of medical cost containment. In Japan, the ratio of GNME to the gross national product (GNP) is not so high in the world, and it ranks 6th among developed countries (OECD-Health Data, 2002). During the past 38 years from the scientific viewpoint the Joint Committee of Social Insurance established by the Multidisciplinary Group of Surgical Associations has evaluated the rationalization of surgical fee (include doctor's fee). If our system is employed, more fair surgical care may be provided in the future.