Policy digest

Healthcare reform urged to be deepened

The General Office of the State Council, China's Cabinet, issued a document on implementing deepening healthcare reform this year. The document suggested five tasks to promote a more efficient healthcare system. These were: establishing a hierarchical medical system serving different groups of patients; promoting a modern hospital management system; increasing healthcare coverage to all; guaranteeing medication; and improving regulations. The authorities will issue 14 documents related to healthcare reform. The document also said the range of pilot programs for hierarchical medical systems and signed family doctor services should be extended to more than 85 percent of prefecture-level cities nationwide.

Natural disaster subsidy increased