Wishing all a healthy Lunar New Year

People now have one more reason to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Coming as it does during these trying economic times, the healthcare reform package is more than a welcome relief.

The fruits of the reform can't be seen in concrete terms, like the $1.42 billion hongbao ("lucky money") distributed among the poor before the Spring Festival. But its impact would be far greater and long-lasting.

The package is impressive: $124 billion to be spent in three years. The aim is loftier: making medical services accessible to a greater number of people by 2011.