Elderly to get more help with medical expenses

As the annual sessions of the top legislative body and political advisory body continue, China Daily collected questions on issues that netizens care most about and solicited answers from political advisers, legislators and senior government officials.

The question

The Chinese population is rapidly aging. Dedicated and extensive support from government in terms of welfare will be more and more requested, especially for many rural families when they encounter serious illness related to age. How does the government intend to face this challenge?

A netizen who goes by the name "Airaldo Piva"

The answer

A basic medical insurance system has been established in China, which has covered more than 95 percent of all Chinese people in both urban and rural areas. Subscribers, their employers and government investment all contribute to the insurance fund. For the subscribers who live in rural areas or who are unemployed in urban areas, there will be an additional reimbursement of their medical bills if they suffer from serious diseases that could cost more than they can afford. This is paid through a program called "Major Diseases Insurance". Their medical bills are already partly covered by the basic medical insurance programs.

In addition, for patients who have serious financial difficulties, it is possible to apply through the civil affairs authorities for social relief, if they still find it difficult to cover their medical expenses after being helped by these programs.

According to the Government Work Report, the government will increase investment in the basic medical insurance system this year. For example, per-capita investment from the government into the basic medical insurance program aimed at people in rural areas will increase from 380 yuan ($58) to 420 yuan this year. In this way, farmers will have a greater part of their medical bills reimbursed.

With the aging of the population, including in rural areas, the programs are expected to disproportionately benefit older people more than the young because older people will likely be more prone to illness. Younger subscribers are expected to be more healthy and therefore spend less of the insurance fund.

When we consider China's development level, at present it is not feasible for all subscribers to expect to have all of their medical expenses reimbursed but with increasing development of the economy, the basic medical insurance system will continue to improve and patients' medical burdens are likely to reduce further in the future.