(100 great changes) China's new medical reform: Return to public welfare for a healthy China

"I think the little trick is of no value for the drug at this price point."

Drug pricing is related to the interests of the people. At a special drug price negotiation meeting held on November 11, 2021, an injection for treating spinal muscular atrophy cost over $98,000 per unit -- a daylight robbery. Luckily, with the efforts of negotiators from the National Healthcare Security Administration, the injection was eventually included in the new directory of medical-insurance drugs at $4,600 per unit.

This is a typical example of China's new medical reform. Since the introduction of the new plan, China's medical reform has emphasized "return to public welfare." The reform solves problems concerning inaccessible and expensive medical resources, so that people won't slip back into poverty due to illness. The reform also provides individualized guidance and gives full play to the initiative of localities. As a result, a basic medical and health care system in line with the national conditions has been established, and successful cases such as the Sanming Model and Changting Model emerged in large numbers.

"All for people's health" is anything but empty talk. Over the past decade, China's average life expectancy has risen to 78.2 years. The basic endowment insurance now benefits 1.04 billion people. The number of people protected by basic medical insurance had reached 1.36 billion by the end of 2021, stabilizing at over 95%.

The report to the 20th CPC National Congress pointed out, "we must advance the Healthy China initiative and give strategic priority to ensuring the people's health." Thus, both people and hospitals will be benefited, and doctors will be motivated. China's new medical reform embarks on a right and hopeful path.

STAFF General Producers Yu Lan Hu Fang Producer Wu Qingcai Executive Producer Zeng Nai General Directors Chen Xingang Wang Kai Chief Editors Cao Hangyu Ma Xueling General Coordinators Zhao Anyuan Ren Shuai Zhu Na Translator Liu Wen Screenwriters Deng Shi Zhou Junsong English Reviewers Qi Yiling Zhou Jing Voice Actor Liu Wen Publicity Directors Wang Shanshan Fang Min Zhou Jing