Health financing in China

China’s overall health reform goal is to establish a universal basic health care system providing safe, effective, convenient and affordable health services to all. Health financing policy ensures that financial resources are effectively allocated and that different population groups, especially the most vulnerable and high-risk, can access affordable health care services.

In China, the basic health insurance system covers over 95% of the population. In 2018, the National Healthcare Security Administration was established, managing all basic health insurance schemes in China. Its establishment is a milestone in China’s health sector reform and represents opportunities to further improve the efficiency of the health system on cost containment, quality of services and better value for money.