Health reform in China: Developments and future prospects

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Policy
• Health Economics

Background:

• China launched a major health reform in 2009 to build a functional health system.
• Significant progress was made in expanding social health insurance, covering over 95% of the population by 2011.
• Increased government fiscal input supported health financing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the achievements and challenges of China's 2009 health reform.
• To identify the necessity of health governance reforms for addressing affordability and accessibility.
• To highlight critical areas for future health reform, including medical institution governance and resource allocation.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of health system reforms initiated since 2009.
• Examination of health insurance expansion and fiscal input.
• Assessment of health governance strategies and their impact on key actors.
• Review of challenges in cost containment and primary care accessibility.

Main Results:

• The reform significantly improved health insurance coverage and accessibility.
• Affordability remains a concern due to ineffective cost containment by social health insurers.
• Accessibility to primary care and public health services requires further improvement.

Conclusions:

• While the 2009 health reform achieved notable successes, persistent issues in affordability and accessibility necessitate further action.
• Health governance reforms are crucial for optimizing the interactions between providers, insurers, and government.
• Future reforms must focus on enhancing the governance of medical institutions and improving health resource allocation.