title: Considerations on fundamental issues in establishing a universal coverage system for health in China.
abstract: This study discusses basic health services in China. In this study common sense and international experience in establishing a high-performing health system were introduced. Five components are identified: basic qualified human resources for health; basic infrastructure; essential medicines; essential technology and procedures; and basic service pathways. Recommendations were presented based upon the Chinese situation. They are: increase public financing and lower private out-of-pocket payment for services; revitalize the functions of public facilities; merge different health financing schemes; co-ordinate public fiscal and pricing policies; prioritize public financing to preventive and primary healthcare; establish and strengthen the partnership between public and private facilities and insurance schemes; and re-organize the administrative system in health-based upon the rules of simplicity, unity, and efficiency.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Policy and Regulation, Ministry of Health, Beijing, China. leihc@moh.gov.cn
authors.forename: Hai Chao
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Lei
mesh_terms: D002681:China; D005380:Financing, Government; D017048:Health Care Costs; D018166:Health Care Reform; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000191:economics; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000191:economics; D055818:Public-Private Sector Partnerships; D019472:Universal Health Insurance / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards