China's Healthcare Revolution: Near-Universal Coverage Through Public Insurance

China has attained near-universal coverage for health insurance by three principal public programs: Urban Employee Basic Medical Insurance (required for urban formal employees), Urban-Rural Resident Basic Medical Insurance (optional for other residents), and catastrophic disease insurance. The system, mostly operated by local governments, insures primary, specialty, hospital, and mental health care, as well as prescription drugs and traditional Chinese medicine. Yet, out-of-pocket expenditures are still high. The central government is in charge of national health law and policy, whereas local governments arrange and deliver services. In spite of very high coverage rates, the system is struggling to cut down personal healthcare expenses and enhance service quality.

 

Source: Commonwealth Fund, Wikipedia, March 14, 2025