(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-01-09 09:15

But the local official admitted increasing government responsibility and input was the most exciting part of the scheme, though coordinated and detailed plans are needed to make it feasible.

The scheme also promises to "gradually reduce hospitals' involvement with drug sales to cut drug prices," noting that any resulting shortfall could be met by government subsidies and "a reasonable rise in medical service fees".

Many citizens voiced their concerns over this "reasonable" rise, fearing the price increase will only serve to offset the drop in drug prices and impose an equal burden on the public.

A netizen named Tiandadida said in forum on Sina.com.cn: "I'm afraid drug prices may not be cut but medical service fees will surely shoot up."

Growing public criticism of soaring medical fees, lack of access, poor doctor-patient relations and the low coverage of the medicare system compelled China to launch a new round of medical reform.

According to a latest survey by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on "unsafe" factors upsetting the public, rising medical costs have become the top concern among Chinese people,

China first started its medical service reform in 1992 to abolish a system under which the government covered more than 90 percent of expenses.

However, soaring medical costs plunged many rural and urban Chinese back into poverty. Currently, there were about 400 million people around the country without any healthcare coverage, according to Ministry of Health.

The new reform plan promised an initial basic medicare network would be set up by 2010 to reduce the widening gap of medical services among different income groups and regions. By 2020, China would establish a basic medicare network for the whole population.

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