Limited effects of the comprehensive pricing healthcare reform in China.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES\nTo evaluate the effects of China s very recent comprehensive pricing healthcare reform, taking the patients perspective.\n\n\nSTUDY DESIGN\nTwo survey studies were conducted using the same protocol in Beijing in July 2017 and 2018, respectively.\n\n\nMETHODS\nThe same questionnaire was used and contains two sections, with the first on demographic and personal information and the second on various assessments of the reform.\n\n\nRESULTS\nFindings different from those in the government-led evaluations were made. Specifically, the majority of the patients thought the level of medical service fee and cost of medicine still high, and experienced no change or an increase in overall medical cost. The overall assessment of the reform was not sufficiently positive. Multiple problems in healthcare were identified. Development from 2017 to 2018 was not significantly positive.\n\n\nCONCLUSIONS\nPatients assessments of the reform were not as positive as those made in the government-led evaluations. In extending the reform to the whole country, the government and healthcare providers may need to further tune the reform to better serve the public.