Chongqing Liangjiang New Area took steps to improve medical services in urban and rural areas, benefiting 5,201 local residents by the end of this June. It is a major part of a government assistance program for local residents.

Expenditure on health care came to a total of 1.35 million yuan ($ 203,083), an increase of 10.59 percent from last year. Liangjiang carried out a series of policies and measures to provide better health care including, making greater provision for citizens in need, and improving management in the health care sector.

Medical expenses incurred from common illnesses and serious diseases can be reimbursed up to 90 percent, 30 percent higher than before, according to the new policies. Also, patients can receive higher total support during the year, with a limit of 100,000 yuan ($ 15,043) for common diseases and 200,000 yuan ($ 30,086) for serious diseases.

A management system for paying medical costs has been established that will check an individual’s entitlement for heavily discounted health care. This should benefit some of the neediest in society and provide patients with easy access to high-quality medical care.