Transformations in the healthcare system in China

Abstract

In April 2009, the Chinese government announced comprehensive reforms to the health system following more than a decade of piecemeal reform efforts. Popular complaints about high healthcare costs and access difficulties eventually received political attention following the government administration change of 2002 and the SARS outbreak of 2003. However, policy differences between ministries resulted in several years of vigorous and open policy debates involving domestic and international stakeholders as well as citizens who are active in expressing opinions virtually (netizens). The 2009 reforms signalled not only policy recognition of the need for a comprehensive and systemic approach if healthcare was to be transformed, but also charted new approaches to policy-making. While the current reforms are being rapidly implemented, the question arises as to whether the shifts in the policy-making process will continue into the future. Further evaluation of the policy process will require cooperation if not collaboration from the policy actors themselves. © The Author(s) 2012.