Why hasn't China implemented universal free medical care?
Let me put it this way! If electricity were free, some people would dare to sleep with the air conditioner on and the quilt covered all day. In recent years, there has been a lot of discussion about whether to implement universal free medical care. But when we analyze this issue in depth, we will find that there are many complex factors involved. First, let's look at a set of data. In 2022, China's total medical expenditure was as high as 8484.67 billion yuan, while the total medical insurance revenue was only 3069.772 billion yuan, which means there is a difference of about 5 trillion yuan. To achieve universal free medical care, this 5 trillion yuan gap will undoubtedly need to be filled by the national finance, which is undoubtedly a huge economic pressure.
But the problem is not just about money. As many people worry, once medical services are completely free, we may face a decline in service quality. Historically, countless cases have proved that once resources are free, people tend to overuse them, resulting in resource shortages and a decline in service quality. In the medical field, this may lead to a sharp increase in doctors' work pressure and overuse of medical equipment, which in turn affects the operation of the entire medical system. However, this is not the whole problem.
In recent years, the controversy over foreigners enjoying super-national treatment in China has become increasingly fierce. This unequal treatment has undoubtedly exacerbated social discontent. But universal free medical care cannot directly solve this problem. It is more of an issue of social security and medical resource allocation, which requires us to think and solve it from a deeper level.
In general, China’s failure to implement universal free medical care is not a simple one-size-fits-all decision. It involves considerations of economic pressure, service quality, social equity and other aspects. There are pros and cons. I don’t know when to wait for a free medical appointment. Various symptoms must be diverted in towns and villages. If you don’t believe it, just wait and see!