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This paper reviews the evolution of Chinese medical assistance system and discusses the shortcomings of the current healthcare protection policy. Medical assistance policies in 6 Guangdong cities, namely Guangzhou, Foshan, Zhongshan, Zhuhai, Shenzhen and Dongguan, were introduced and compared. These 8 cities, forming the Peral River Delta, is the core areas of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. In mainland cities of the Greater Bay Area, medical protections are already supported by public subsidy and contributory medical insurance. However, it was discovered that some vulnerable groups in extreme poverty may not have full knowledge of government policies. On the other hand, the existing medical insurance fund with specific claim caps did not provide sufficient protection to patients with serious illnesses like cancer and other fatalistic problems. In the case of Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR, the universal free hospital services are provided to residents financed by government public funds. However, in recent years long waiting line and stagnant growth appear due to inadequate funds as governments subsidy cannot match the rapidly rising medical prices and expenditures. It is recommended for city governments in Guangdong to promote a supplementary insurance scheme to cover all patients with serious sicknesses in full cost. Hong Kong and Macao citizens should also consider low cost contributory supplementary insurance for better medical services. A new type of subsidized hospitals supported by government subsidy and contributory insurance funds may help to balance the market and the state services.
Wong et al. (Sat,) studied this question.