ABSTRACT
This chapter recapitulates the main features of the development of long-term care (LTC) financing and delivery in China. It examines its general approach, merits, and issues arising from some of the major recent initiatives as well as from the pandemic. It affirms the Chinese government’s choice of financing LTC using insurance, covering initially those covered by the employment-based health insurance, as that favours the rapid implementation of long-term care insurance in the country. It raises concern over the heavy reliance on transfers from the health insurance scheme to finance LTC. It also points out problems related to equity, quality, and supply and proposes possible solutions. It is, however, optimistic that China will succeed in achieving universal coverage in LTC, and some strategies adopted by the Chinese government are highlighted as possible exemplar for some middle- and low-income countries.
