Nearly a dozen key leaders from China’s health care system visited Joint Commission International on June 11. The delegation was led by Minister Sun Zhigang, vice chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission and chairman of the Medical Reform Office of the State Council for the People’s Republic of China, who oversees the health care reform initiatives for 1.2 billion Chinese citizens. The delegation learned about The Joint Commission’s quality initiatives in the U.S. and Joint Commission International’s experience in China and in other countries. The groups discussed Chinese health reform priorities and opportunities for future collaboration and knowledge exchange. The delegation also visited the Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, pharmaceutical and medical device companies, and several medical centers. In 2009, China announced a historic investment of the equivalent of more than $125 billion to deepen the reform of the Chinese health care system. In April 2012, a new five-year health care reform plan was announced in China with an additional financial commitment of $100 billion. Major initiatives include:
- Advancing public hospital reform
- Accelerating universal health care
- Consolidating and improving the essential drug system
(Contact: Anne Rooney, arooney@jcrinc.com)