CRI听力： New Cooperative Medical Care System in Shanxi

When people who work in the city get sick, their employers or insurers usually cover their medical expenses, but what about rural residents? In the past, farmers in China had to pay all of their medical expenses. But now, if a farmer falls sick, a large part of the cost will be covered if he or she has joined the new rural cooperative medical care system. In the city of Yizhou in North China's Shanxi Province, eighty percent of the farmers are taking advantage of this social security program. CRI reporter Shuang Feng takes a look.

Reporter:

The new rural cooperative medical care system is a government sponsored program available to any farmer that wishes to join. Covered farmers can be refunded a percentage of the costs for surgery and other large medical expenses. Funding comes from both the government and individuals.

The Yifu District of Yizhou began offering such medical coverage in 2007 to any farmer who is willing to pay 15 yuan, or about 2 dollars, a year. According to some farmers, the system is greatly appreciated.

Li Wentian, director of the Yifu medical bureau, explains.

"The farmers say that the 15 yuan investment is greater help than having an extra son. In times of serious illness, most sons would not be able to help pay the needed 10 or 20 thousand yuan of medical treatment. But for 15 yuan, the government will pay the 10,000 yuan, so farmers are very grateful for the security."

67-year-old Huang Chaoxiu lives in the Yifu village of Gaojiazhuang. In April, 2007, she fell from her bike into a river and was badly hurt. The doctors performed surgery on her for eleven hours. She began worrying about money the moment she opened her eyes after surgery.

"After I woke up, I turned to my kids and asked them 'why did you save me? You should have let me die. This will cost at least 20 or 30 thousand yuan. We are farmers and we don't have enough money."

Huang Chaoxiu's family is certainly not rich and on top of everything else, she takes care of her 92-year-old mother-in-law. The added medical expenses were a constant worry.

After they found out that Huang was enrolled in the cooperative medical system, the doctors told her to stop worrying.

"The doctors asked whether or not I was enrolled in the cooperative medical system. I told them I was. They told me, 'Don't worry; if it costs 10,000 yuan, you only have to pay 5,000 yuan. You have three kids and they will be able to help you. Just concentrate on getting better.'"

But Huang was not quite convinced. After staying in the hospital for about two months, she was determined to go home.

"Later I insisted that I must go home. It cost 50 to 60 yuan each day in the hospital, apart from the food. After I got home, I still worried: I had spent so much money, when could I pay it back?"

Ten days after Huang got home, the new rural cooperative medical care office of Yifu District called her. They told her that the medical costs had been finalized and asked Huang to come for her refund.

"My eldest son got 12,000 yuan back. I spent 24,000 yuan altogether. The government gave me 12,000 yuan. I was so happy and didn't know what to do. You know, my kids could go to college now."

Huang was so happy and she gradually recovered.

"I'm very grateful to the government for their policies. They bring real benefits to us farmers who participate in the cooperative medical system."

In Yizhou City, there are many other farmers who have shared similar experiences with Huang Chaoxiu. The medical system was first launched in 2003 on a trial basis. Right now, more than 10 counties are participating in the system, and 1.6 million farmers have received coverage.

Gao Fanghua, the vice director of the Yizhou health bureau, elaborates.

"The governments at all levels have set aside sufficient funds. Operational and launching costs have all been in place according to the central government's requirements. The government places great importance on the medical care system. If we have to, we will sacrifice other spending requirements to make sure that there are enough funds for the medical care system."

The cooperative medical care system now covers all rural areas in Yizhou, so the medical bureau has now shifted its focus to monitoring the system. They want to collect feedback from the farmers in the new medical system.

"We have traveled to 14 counties and 185 towns. We went to the homes of the farmers to hear their opinions. We want to try our best to serve the public with the best management and technologies."

On his recent tour of Anhui Province, Chinese President Hu Jintao promised to further increase medical subsidies for farmers, this year.

"The central government has decided to lift the per capita medical subsidy from 40 yuan to 80 yuan within two years. Thus, the standard of cooperative medical service will be further raised. Many people say it's difficult and expensive to go to the hospital. Now, the government will take the lead to address the problems the farmers face."

The rural cooperative medical system has been a great success since its trial launch in 2003. Experts say the system will cover all rural areas by 2010 and the entire rural population of the country will benefit from it.