Healthcare System
- China has established a comprehensive healthcare system that covers nearly 96% of the population. 45
- This includes different insurance schemes for urban employees, urban residents, and rural residents, as well as special assistance programs for the poor. 45
- The system is administered by the Ministry of Civil Affairs, Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, and National Health Commission. 4
- It consists of a tiered network of over 16,000 hospitals, from primary clinics to tertiary academic medical centers. 45
- While significant progress has been made, challenges remain in terms of regional disparities, insurance fund management, and integrating the different schemes. 5
Social Security System
- China has built the world’s largest social security system over the past 5 years. 12
- This includes basic pension, medical, unemployment, and work-injury insurance, as well as a mandatory housing fund. 2
- Coverage has expanded to over 1.3 billion people for medical insurance and nearly 1 billion for pensions. 12
- However, enforcement and compliance issues remain, with many employers failing to fully contribute. 3
- The system is administered at the local/regional level, leading to variations in policies and implementation across different cities. 2
- Foreign workers and migrant workers are also covered, though with some regional differences. 2
In summary, yes China has developed extensive and comprehensive healthcare and social security systems, though challenges remain in terms of full population coverage, regional disparities, and effective management of the insurance funds. The systems are critical components of China’s social welfare framework.
