Publication year: 2011
Source: Social Science & Medicine, In Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available online 21 June 2011
Cheng, Li , Xuan, Yu , James R.G., Butler , Vasoontara, Yiengprugsawan , Min, Yu
China is now in the course of implementing a new round of health system reforms. Universal health insurance coverage through the basic social medical insurance system is high on the reform agenda. This paper examines the performance of China’s current social medical insurance system in terms of revenue collection, risk pooling, the benefit package, and provider payment mechanisms based on a literature review and publicly available data. On the basis of critical assessment, the paper attempts to address the issues challenging China as it moves towards universal coverage. Focusing in particular on the reform experience in Thailand as it implemented…
Highlights: ► Contributes to an improved understanding of China’s medical insurance system. ► Addresses the issues challenging China as it moves towards universal coverage. ► Focuses in particular on the reform experience in Thailand. ► Policy implications for further reform in China are articulated. ► Contributes to a critical evaluation and improved understanding of the present performance of China’s basic social medical insurance system. ► On the basis of critical assessment, the paper attempts to address the issues challenging China as it moves towards universal coverage. ► Focusing in particular on the reform experience in Thailand as it implemented universal coverage, policy implications for further reform in China are articulated, taking into account China’s particular circumstances.