People will be able to choose from a wide range of medical insurance programs when China reforms its public health system, central government officials said.

Researchers and international organizations have long argued for China to move away from a government monopoly of all health-related services.

In January, Chen Wenhui, assistant chairman of the China Insurance Regulatory Commission (CIRC), said commercial insurance services were a vital part of helping China build up "a multi-level health care network with all its citizens insured".

At present, according to figures from the CIRC, commercial health insurance covers only 10 percent of society's total medical costs, a far cry from its expected target.

But there is growing optimism that comprehensive health cover will contribute heavily to a healthier Chinese society.

"Commercial health insurance will surely play a considerable role in the course of the Chinese medical reform," Liu Yongfu, vice-minister of labor and social security, said on the sidelines of the annual session of the National People's Congress (NPC).

Presently, the government-sponsored medical care plan, which is available primarily for urban residents, takes care of only 20 percent of the total medical costs.

In other words, up to 70 percent of the nation's medical bills could still be insured.

Government funding of the national medical care, of some 1.5-2 trillion yuan ($195-260 billion) per year, is mainly used to cover the most common illnesses.

The remaining portion, up to 6 trillion yuan ($780 billion), would be the area to be covered by various insurance programs, whether based on collective arrangements or individual purchases.

Such a medical funding scheme, according to Chen, would be an ideal scenario to head off possible runaway medical bills, and give people health security.

China commenced rebuilding its medical system in 2005, after Beijing admitted previous attempts at reform were unsuccessful. Many Chinese families have complained about spiralling health costs.

But, there are plans to expand the "welfare umbrella" to help ordinary Chinese people, improve the quality of medical services, and cap drug prices and medical treatments.

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