Beijing, China — This is a very active time for setting directions in China’s health care development. A number of official government pronouncements have focused on key health care issues, and taken together, they seem to signal a renewed determination to build on the current system of state-sponsored health care as well as remain open to new private endeavors. For example, two weeks ago China’s State Council announced a new 5 year plan to develop the country’s public health system. And last week the government established a medical insurance research agency, which will serve as a “think tank” for the development of the country’s medical services. There are also repeated calls for private efforts to help solve some of China’s pressing health challenges. The intent, according to Vice-Health Minister Chen Xiaohong, is “to set up a government-led market system of health care, in which both government and private sector entities work together to provide better service.”
A unique opportunity is forming here for dialogue that will have an impact on China’s health care system for a long time to come. Those in private sector health care who have something to offer should come to the table now and begin to engage China’s thinkers and policy makers. A serious effort is afoot, laying the groundwork for equally serious outcomes.
May 1, 2007 at 5:05 pm
[...] on Health Overhauls” confirms what I have observed in my several recent trips to China (see my earlier post): namely, that China is casting a very wide net for ideas on how to address the serious problems it [...]
May 1, 2007 at 5:17 pm
[...] on Health Overhauls” confirms what I have observed in my several recent trips to China (see my earlier post): namely, that China is casting a very wide net for ideas on how to address the serious problems it [...]