Now the news continues.
The State Council, China's Cabinet, has decided to put private hospitals in the medical insurance system, a move designed to encourage the development of medical institutions.
Among other measures, the approval process to set up a hospital or clinic will be streamlined, and preconditions including the number of beds will be canceled.
The State Council says noNPRofit private capital-invested medical institutions should get subsidies from the government, and they will see other favorable policies including tax cuts.
Many hospitals that run by private capital, especially those at the high end, have met great difficulties as they can neither get government subsidies nor join the national medical insurance system.
Experts suggested two possible ways for the government to give subsidies, to give the hospitals money or buy their services.
The State Council also stipulated that private hospitals be included in regional development plans for medical resources.
Raising capital for such institutions, through equity financing and project financing, for example, will be supported.
This is NEWS Plus special English.
The Chinese government has spent 110 billion yuan, roughly 18 billion U.S. dollars, aiding people who cannot afford medical services in the past five years.
During the period between 2009 and 2014, government spending on medical aid rose by an annual average of 13 percent.
More government fund will be put in the area, while private donations are also encouraged.
China established a national medical assistance system in 2008 to help disadvantaged people purchase medical insurance and to subsidize healthcare not included in insurance programs.
China spent 25 billion yuan on such subsidies last year, benefiting 102 million people.
In April, the State Council promised to expand medical assistance to cover more people and help pay more medical expenses.
