Recently the Chinese government announced that they will begin providing health care coverage for nearly all of their 1.3 billion citizens. This unprecedented coverage by a single country is estimated to cost over $123 billion for the next three years. Currently, government funded health care coverage is limited to a a very few Chinese citizens.
Chinese officials say that by 2011, 90 percent of citizens will have access to health care and basic medical services. The government has committed to assuring that coverage is equal in urban and rural areas. The citizens have expressed growing concern over rising medical costs, a lack of access to health care facilities, and poor doctor-patient relationships. These factors helped spur the government to make a move.
When implementing the plan, another deciding factor was the desire to boost the Chinese sagging economy. Chinese economists believe that if the citizens don't have to save money to set aside for potential medical care, then they will be able to spend that money on consumer goods.
Their conclusion is partly based on a 2007 survey that found people living in rural areas already with benefits of government-run health insurance plans spend more than those who arent covered. While the article doesnt provide specifics on that survey or further justifications, the idea that universal health care can be an economic stimulus tool is near mind-boggling from an American viewpoint.
Even though China and the United States governments are not very similar, the possibility that providing health care will cause people to spend more money is fascinating and will be watched very carefully by all. If it does work, we can count on American lawmakers using it as a model for a government sponsored health care plan.
Chinese officials say that by 2011, 90 percent of citizens will have access to health care and basic medical services. The government has committed to assuring that coverage is equal in urban and rural areas. The citizens have expressed growing concern over rising medical costs, a lack of access to health care facilities, and poor doctor-patient relationships. These factors helped spur the government to make a move.
When implementing the plan, another deciding factor was the desire to boost the Chinese sagging economy. Chinese economists believe that if the citizens don't have to save money to set aside for potential medical care, then they will be able to spend that money on consumer goods.
Their conclusion is partly based on a 2007 survey that found people living in rural areas already with benefits of government-run health insurance plans spend more than those who arent covered. While the article doesnt provide specifics on that survey or further justifications, the idea that universal health care can be an economic stimulus tool is near mind-boggling from an American viewpoint.
Even though China and the United States governments are not very similar, the possibility that providing health care will cause people to spend more money is fascinating and will be watched very carefully by all. If it does work, we can count on American lawmakers using it as a model for a government sponsored health care plan.
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