Title: Why healthcare became so expensive in China? The transformation of healthcare financing during Chinese economic development

Authors: Ying Wang; Jay J. Shen; Sun Mei; Charles B. Moseley; Jun Lu; Fang Lin; Xiaohong Li; Fengshui Chang; Mo Hao

Addresses: Research Institute of Health Development Strategies, Fudan University, 130 Dong An Road Shanghai 200032, China. ' Department of Health Care Administration and Policy, University of Nevada at Las Vegas, 4505 Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA. ' Research Institute of Health Development Strategies, Fudan University, 130 Dong An Road Shanghai 200032, China. ' Department of Health Care Administration and Policy, University of Nevada at Las Vegas, 4505 Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA. ' Research Institute of Health Development Strategies, Fudan University, 130 Dong An Road Shanghai 200032, China. ' Department of Finance, University of Oklahoma, 660 Parrington Oval, Norman, OK 73019, USA. ' Research Institute of Health Development Strategies, Fudan University, 130 Dong An Road Shanghai 200032, China. ' Research Institute of Health Development Strategies, Fudan University, 130 Dong An Road Shanghai 200032, China. ' Research Institute of Health Development Strategies, Fudan University, 130 Dong An Road Shanghai 200032, China

Abstract: Under the influence of national economic reform and development, China has changed the way that it finances healthcare from a government-based system to a more market-oriented system. China has done this without a sophisticated healthcare payment system, and this has resulted in the rapid growth of health expenditures and many Chinese not being able to access needed healthcare. This review covers the changes in healthcare financing since 1979; how these changes have happened; how they have impacted the Chinese people; and what policy and programme changes are needed to improve the current system.

Keywords: China; healthcare financing; healthcare costs; reimbursement; health policy; economic development; economic reform; market-oriented healthcare; health expenditure; access to healthcare.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPP.2012.045868

International Journal of Public Policy, 2012 Vol.8 No.1/2/3, pp.4 - 20

Published online: 31 Jul 2014 *

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