"Has the New Administration Lost Its Enthusiasm?" JMA's View on the Medical Fee Revision Report – Medical Tribune

News Highlights

The Japan Medical Association (JMA) has questioned the new administration's enthusiasm regarding the proposed revision of medical fees for fiscal year 2026. The JMA has indicated that the proposed revisions lack the bold reforms and fundamental measures expected by the medical community to enhance the sustainability of the healthcare delivery system. The JMA has re-emphasized the importance of mid-to-long-term management strategies and business succession strategies, considering the revision cycle, and is encouraging consideration of measures such as maintaining facility standards through economies of scale, distributing the burden of capital investment, and utilizing tax incentives including transitions to specific medical corporations or social medical corporations.

M&A Medical Editorial Department's Perspective

日医が「新政権は熱意を失っているのでは」とまで踏み込んだ診療報酬改定答申への見解は、医療機関経営者にとって看過できないシグナルです。今回の改定答申が、医療提供体制の持続可能性や、地域医療を支える医療機関の経営基盤強化に繋がるような「本気度」を欠いていると日医が判断した背景には、現場の切実な声が反映されていると考えられます。特に、物価高騰や人件費上昇が続く中で、診療報酬の改定率がそれに追いつかず、実質的なマイナス改定とも言える状況が続けば、多くの医療機関、特に中小規模のクリニックや病院では、設備投資の遅延、優秀な人材の確保難、ひいては地域医療の維持そのものへの影響が懸念されます。このような環境下では、単年度の経営戦略だけでなく、中長期的な視点での事業承継や、グループ化による規模のメリット追求、さらには税制優遇を活用した組織再編といった、より抜本的な経営戦略の検討が不可欠となります。日医のこの強いメッセージは、まさにそうした戦略転換を促すものと解釈すべきでしょう。

Points Raised by This News

• The JMA's questioning of the new administration's enthusiasm is likely due to the current situation where the financial strain on medical facilities remains unresolved.
• If the medical remuneration revision does not reach the expected level, the management base of small and medium-sized medical institutions responsible for regional healthcare may become further weakened.
• The necessity for organizational restructuring, such as maintaining facility standards and distributing capital investment burdens through group formation, and transitioning to specific medical corporations, is increasing.
• Depending on the content of the fiscal year 2026 revision proposal, early consideration of business succession and M&A may become a realistic option for many medical institutions.

Practical Questions Arising from This News

• Which specific items in this medical remuneration revision proposal were disappointing?
• What specific policy decisions does the JMA's suggestion of a 'decline in the new administration's enthusiasm' refer to?
• What specific benefits can small and medium-sized clinics gain from group formation and organizational restructuring?

If You Feel "Should I Consult Too?"

The JMA's critical view suggests a rise in uncertainty for future medical institution management. If your institution is experiencing delays in capital investment,Lack of Successoranxiety about business succession due to these delays, or declining revenue from stagnant medical remuneration, this news may be a sign to reconsider your strategy for overcoming the current situation. Especially if you feel that maintaining independent management is becoming difficult while wanting to continue contributing to regional healthcare, this could be a good opportunity to consider consulting with experts.

M&A Medical (CentralMedience Inc.) is a business succession support service for medical corporations, hospitals, and clinics, certified by the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency as an M&A support institution. We provide comprehensive support.Success FeeWe handle consultations with strict confidentiality.Contact Us for a Free Consultation