CNR:

The report to the 20th CPC National Congress proposed improving the population development strategy, establishing a policy system to boost birth rates, and bringing down the costs of pregnancy and childbirth, child-rearing, and schooling. What measures have we carried out in terms of reducing pregnancy and childbirth costs? What are the considerations for the next step? Thank you. 

Li Tao:

Thank you for your questions. Population development is of great importance to the Chinese nation. The report of the 20th CPC National Congress made clear requirements to optimize the population development strategy, establish a policy system to boost birth rates and bring down the costs of pregnancy and childbirth, child-rearing, and schooling. The NHSA has resolutely implemented the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council and carried out works on improving maternity insurance and basic medical insurance. The administration has also actively conducted studies and refined supporting policies such as maternity insurance.

First, we have continued to leverage the protective function of maternity insurance. Maternity insurance covers employers and their employees, pays maternity medical expenses and provides maternity allowances. In 2022, 240 million people across the country were covered by maternity insurance, and the expenditure was 89.1 billion yuan. As a form of social insurance, maternity insurance provides mutual assistance by distributing maternity-related expenses of a single employer among all employers, thus balancing the labor costs of employers and alleviating the concerns of employers in hiring female workers. This is of great significance in eliminating gender discrimination in employment.

Second, we have strived to ensure three-child maternity insurance benefits for female employees. All localities have been guided to fully implement maternity insurance benefits for insured female employees having three children, guaranteeing the benefits to which they are entitled. All localities have been required to include the eligible maternity medical expenses and allowances of insured female employees into the maternity insurance benefits in a prompt manner and ensure full payment. At the same time, we have done a good job in providing maternity medical benefits for both urban and rural residents, implementing the policy of immediately enrolling newborns in medical insurance, and ensuring the convergence of benefits and timely settlement. All the 31 provincial-level regions and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps on the Chinese mainland have issued relevant documents, promulgated relevant policies, and optimized work processes, to ensure that female employees who are insured and have three children can enjoy corresponding treatment according to regulations. 

Third, we have taken multiple measures to improve and implement active childbearing support measures. In July 2022, the NHSA and 17 departments jointly issued the Guiding Opinions on Further Improving and Implementing Active Childbearing Support Measures, which makes it clear that flexible employment personnel are included in maternity insurance coverage. They guided local governments to comprehensively consider the affordability of the insurance fund, relevant technical norms, and other factors to gradually include the expenses incurred by using technological means to ease labor pains and assist reproduction under the coverage of the insurance according to procedures.

In the next step, we will continue to guide local governments to do a good job with maternity and basic medical insurance. We will consolidate and expand maternity insurance coverage and do more to ensure maternity medical benefits. At the same time, we will strengthen interdepartmental coordination and promote the dovetailing of maternity insurance policies and related economic and social policies to jointly promote the population's long-term balanced development. Thank you.