企業支援でモラルハザード懸念　高齢者窓口負担２割「広範囲」に―予算建議

　財政制度等審議会（財務相の諮問機関）は２５日、２０２１年度予算編成に関する建議（意見書）を取りまとめ、麻生太郎財務相に提出した。新型コロナウイルス対策で導入した企業向けの手厚い支援措置を常態化させれば、「モラルハザードを通じて今後の成長の足かせとなりかねない」と懸念を表明。コロナ後を見据え、経済構造の変化への対応などに支援の軸足を移し、成長力強化につなげるよう求めた。
　社会保障費に関しては、持続可能性の確保が急務だと指摘。７５歳以上の後期高齢者が医療機関の窓口で支払う自己負担を現行の１割から２割に引き上げる対象について「可能な限り広範囲で導入し、現役世代の負担を軽減すべきだ」と主張した。（2020/11/25-12:45）

A Japanese Ministry of Finance panel on Wednesday warned of the risk of the government's massive business support measures aimed at helping cushion the impacts of the novel coronavirus crisis leading recipient firms to weaken their own efforts and impeding their growth.
   In a set of proposals related to the compilation of the government's fiscal 2021 budget, submitted to Minister of Finance Taro Aso, the Fiscal System Council said that the extensive measures "may cause 'moral hazard' among firms receiving the support and hinder growth if the steps are kept in place for an extended period of time."
   The government should shift its corporate aid focus to measures for helping companies adapt to changes in the economic structure and strengthen their growth potential, with an eye on an era after the end of the pandemic, the council said.
   The government's coronavirus relief measures include a financial benefit program for small companies hit hard by the crisis and the special measure of raising the cap on the amount of aid under its employment adjustment subsidy scheme. Saying that they are "emergency steps," the council sought a review of the measures so that they will not impede companies' reform efforts.
   Specifically, the council called on the government to end the benefit program for small businesses in January next year as planned and instead focus on support for firms that are taking constructive moves, such as converting to new businesses. The special measure under the employment adjustment subsidy program should be terminated in stages as early as possible, it said.