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Billions to be spent on health care reform plan
Source: Xinhua/Shanghai Daily |
January 22, 2009, Thursday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
CHINA'S Cabinet said yesterday the country will invest 850 billion yuan (US$124 billion) to improve its health care system over the next three years, including a revamp of public hospitals that are often criticized for their lack of access, huge fees and poor doctor-patient relations.
Between now and 2011, the country must improve its basic medical insurance system and the service level of hospitals and reduce the cost of health care for the public, the State Council said.
The goals include increasing the participation rate of both urban and rural people in the basic medical insurance system to 90 percent.
The Cabinet said reforms will be rolled out in select public hospitals as part of a three-year pilot program aimed at changing the way medical care facilities make profits, while strengthening inspections of facilities and improving services.
Health Minister Chen Zhu said earlier this month that the government aims to cut hospitals' involvement with drug sales, which he said would help lower the prices of medicines and physical checkup fees.
Public hospitals currently rely on profits from medical services and drug prescriptions to cover their operating expenses, which health officials say create a heavy burden on patients and a waste of medical resources.
China has been working on medical reforms since 2006.
Under the Cabinet's plan, in addition to increasing the number of people covered by the basic medical insurance system, each eligible person will receive an annual subsidy of 120 yuan starting in 2010.
A basic medicine system will be instituted that includes a catalogue of drugs produced and distributed under government control starting this year. All such medicine would be covered by medical insurance.
Services will be improved at grassroots medical institutions, especially hospitals at county levels, township clinics and those in remote villages, and community health centers in less-developed cities.
The quality of public health services in rural and urban areas will be gradually equalized.
A pilot program will be launched this year to reform the administration, operation and supervision of public hospitals, with a goal to improve the quality of the services they provide.
The Cabinet said the measures are aimed at providing universal basic medical service to all Chinese citizens and paving the way for further medical reforms.
The State Council also decided to publish a draft amendment to the country's regulations on the administration of travel agencies and release it for public comment.
The Cabinet also ratified a list of experts and scholars who will receive special government allowances.
Between now and 2011, the country must improve its basic medical insurance system and the service level of hospitals and reduce the cost of health care for the public, the State Council said.
The goals include increasing the participation rate of both urban and rural people in the basic medical insurance system to 90 percent.
The Cabinet said reforms will be rolled out in select public hospitals as part of a three-year pilot program aimed at changing the way medical care facilities make profits, while strengthening inspections of facilities and improving services.
Health Minister Chen Zhu said earlier this month that the government aims to cut hospitals' involvement with drug sales, which he said would help lower the prices of medicines and physical checkup fees.
Public hospitals currently rely on profits from medical services and drug prescriptions to cover their operating expenses, which health officials say create a heavy burden on patients and a waste of medical resources.
China has been working on medical reforms since 2006.
Under the Cabinet's plan, in addition to increasing the number of people covered by the basic medical insurance system, each eligible person will receive an annual subsidy of 120 yuan starting in 2010.
A basic medicine system will be instituted that includes a catalogue of drugs produced and distributed under government control starting this year. All such medicine would be covered by medical insurance.
Services will be improved at grassroots medical institutions, especially hospitals at county levels, township clinics and those in remote villages, and community health centers in less-developed cities.
The quality of public health services in rural and urban areas will be gradually equalized.
A pilot program will be launched this year to reform the administration, operation and supervision of public hospitals, with a goal to improve the quality of the services they provide.
The Cabinet said the measures are aimed at providing universal basic medical service to all Chinese citizens and paving the way for further medical reforms.
The State Council also decided to publish a draft amendment to the country's regulations on the administration of travel agencies and release it for public comment.
The Cabinet also ratified a list of experts and scholars who will receive special government allowances.
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