For the first time in history, the Chinese government shifted its guiding principles for public health from market-driven to social welfare, emphasizing the need for basic care for all people. By increasing government investment and control over building the health system, the government is attempting to ensure equal care for all citizens. This new direction signifies that basic healthcare has become part of the rights to be enjoyed by all of China’s citizens.
The plan’s goal through 2011 is to accelerate the establishment of the basic healthcare system, build a national basic drug system, improve basic health service networks, provide equal care across the country and push for reform in public hospitals.
Between 2009 and 2011, the government expects to invest approximately $126 billion in the new system. In 2010, reimbursement by the government for medical costs to individuals will increase by 50 percent. By the end of 2009, 833 million farmers and 390 million city residents had joined the basic health insurance system, representing 94 percent of the population.