Beijing's medical insurance
system will extend to more residents, school students and preschool children
over the next 5 years.
The medical insurance system is firmly established, but the Beijing Municipal
Bureau of Labour and Social Security said more than 3 million people are still
not covered. The uninsured city residents largely consist of students and
preschool children, though a portion of adults are also outside the system.
Bureau Vice-Director Song Fengjing said the department will solicit the
public's opinion on how to expand the medical insurance system before drafting
the relevant policies.
A new pension scheme is also expected to be introduced by the end of the
year.
A Bureau official said retirees will receive more pension payments if they
give the government more money for longer periods of time during their working
life. Pension payments will also be linked to salaries under the new plan.
The Bureau is planning a number of other social security programs, like
creating 600,000 new jobs in residential communities, boosting rest home
services and doubling pension coverage to 60 percent in rural area.
