China Takes First Steps Toward Healthcare Reform

In the wake of a bribery scandal and a disastrous baby formula recall, Chinese leaders are carrying out a slew of healthcare reforms.In mid-October, in part on the basis of recommendations from the World Health Organization and the World Bank, China’s State Council published a proposal for healthcare reform online for one month of public comment. Part of the proposal states that by 2020, all Chinese citizens will be covered under one of three different government health insurance schemes. Currently, an estimated 35% of urban households and 43% of rural households cannot afford healthcare.Read more at...Nature Medicine, November 2008.