China established on Thursday a medical insurance research
agency, which will serve as a "think tank" for the development of
the country's medical services.
The Medical Insurance Research Institute was established to
promote the development of the country's medical insurance industry
and provide more access to basic medical insurance.
The institute will research different medicare systems.
Tian Chengping, minister of labor and social security, said
medical insurance is important for the general public, economic and
social development.
Official statistics show that 157 million people in China were
covered by basic medical insurance at the end of last year.
China's State Council, the cabinet, adopted a five-year plan to
further develop the country's public health system last week.
China will establish a basic medical and healthcare network
covering all urban and rural residents by the end of 2010,
according to the plan, which was approved in principle at an
executive meeting of the State Council.
The network will include a public health service system, a rural
cooperative medical care system, an urban community medical service
system and drug management and public hospital management
systems.
China encourages foreign investment and more private investment
in medical services.
(Xinhua News Agency March 30, 2007)