Gruber, Jonathan, Mengyun Lin, and Junjian Yi. 2023. “The Largest Insurance Expansion in History: Saving One Million Lives Per Year in China.” https://www.nber.org/papers/w31423 (July 28, 2023).
Findings Link to heading
The main findings of this paper are that the New Cooperative Medical Scheme (NCMS) in China has been successful in improving health outcomes and reducing mortality rates in rural areas. The authors estimate that the NCMS has saved one million lives per year at peak. The study also finds that the NCMS has had a positive impact on non-acute health outcomes, such as mental health and limitations of activities of daily living. The authors conclude that the success of the NCMS in China can provide valuable lessons for other countries facing similar challenges in providing healthcare to rural populations
Mechanisms Link to heading
The paper identifies several mechanisms through which the NCMS improved health outcomes and reduced mortality rates in rural China. These mechanisms include
- increased healthcare utilization
- reduced out-of-pocket expenditure,
- improved financial protection
The authors also suggest that the NCMS may have had positive spillover effects on non-acute health outcomes, such as mental health and limitations of activities of daily living.
Policy implications Link to heading
The success of the NCMS in China can provide valuable lessons for other countries facing similar challenges in providing healthcare to rural populations. One key lesson is the importance of providing financial protection to rural populations, which can help to increase healthcare utilization and improve health outcomes. Another lesson is the importance of targeting healthcare interventions to specific populations and health needs, rather than implementing a one-size-fits-all approach. Finally, the success of the NCMS highlights the importance of rigorous evaluation and monitoring of healthcare programs to ensure that they are achieving their intended goals and having a positive impact on health outcomes.