The government will introduce a "Senior Policy Impact Assessment" in response to the transition into a super-aged society. This procedure will require analysis of how policies established and implemented by the national or local governments affect seniors, and mandate that these findings be reflected in policy design.
On August 5, the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced that the Cabinet had approved a partial amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the Senior Welfare Act containing these provisions. This amendment is a follow-up measure to the revised Senior Welfare Act, which will take effect on August 17, and its core is to specify the procedures and methods for the Senior Policy Impact Assessment.
With the introduction of this system, central administrative agencies and local governments will be able to conduct a Senior Policy Impact Assessment themselves or request one from the Minister of Health and Welfare when creating or implementing policies related to seniors. The Minister of Health and Welfare may also independently select policies for assessment, even without requests from other agencies, taking into account the degree of impact or urgency.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare plans to finalize specific operational guidelines?including assessment criteria, procedures, and methods for selecting assessment targets?within this year and provide them to all ministries and local governments. Additionally, the Ministry will establish and implement detailed regulations through official notifications. The Ministry stated, "With the introduction of this impact assessment, we will be able to systematically analyze all government policies for seniors, including those related to health and care, and create an opportunity for the perspectives of seniors?the actual beneficiaries?to be more actively reflected in policy."
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