Fixing the Public Hospital System in China
In recent years, Chinese health care has improved rapidly, especially in the areas of equity and accessibility of services, as well as the movement toward universal coverage. A new round of health care reform, which was announced in April 2009, began implementation in 2010, with reform pilots in 16 urban areas. This paper analyzes a key pillar of this ongoing reform process, public hospital management. First, the paper reviews the history of public hospital reform, discusses hospital functions and responsibilities, and describes the structure and supply of health services. Second, it describes the main policy issues facing public hospitals, including financing sources and the hospital market environment. Third, it examines organizational arrangements in public hospitals, focusing on decision rights and governance. Fourth, the paper offers an international perspective and framework for assessing hospital reform. Finally, it summarizes the main policy issues and suggests next steps for policy reform. The paper draws on recent publications, grey literature, media reports, and interviews with key stakeholders.
Summary: | In recent years, Chinese health care has
improved rapidly, especially in the areas of equity and
accessibility of services, as well as the movement toward
universal coverage. A new round of health care reform, which
was announced in April 2009, began implementation in 2010,
with reform pilots in 16 urban areas. This paper analyzes a
key pillar of this ongoing reform process, public hospital
management. First, the paper reviews the history of public
hospital reform, discusses hospital functions and
responsibilities, and describes the structure and supply of
health services. Second, it describes the main policy issues
facing public hospitals, including financing sources and the
hospital market environment. Third, it examines
organizational arrangements in public hospitals, focusing on
decision rights and governance. Fourth, the paper offers an
international perspective and framework for assessing
hospital reform. Finally, it summarizes the main policy
issues and suggests next steps for policy reform. The paper
draws on recent publications, grey literature, media
reports, and interviews with key stakeholders. |
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