Effects of Rural Medical Financial Assistance in China

This paper presents research results from the evaluation of the Medical Financial Assistance (MFA) program,supported by the World Bank,to extremely poor rural residents. It is found that MFA can help to improve the ability of the poor to make use of medical services,and especially their ability to receive services from township clinics. The present study also shows that adoption of the MFA mechanism helps to reduce the impact of disease on the economies of poor families,and prevents the poor afflicted with serious illnesses from being marginalized. However,as the beneficiaries often suffer from serious,complicated and lasting illnesses,the financial assistance is often insignificant in relation to medical expenses. Furthermore,the MFA plays no significant role in restoring a patient's income-earning ability.

Effects of Rural Medical Financial Assistance in China

This paper presents research results from the evaluation of the Medical Financial Assistance (MFA) program,supported by the World Bank,to extremely poor rural residents. It is found that MFA can help to improve the ability of the poor to make use of medical services,and especially their ability to receive services from township clinics. The present study also shows that adoption of the MFA mechanism helps to reduce the impact of disease on the economies of poor families,and prevents the poor afflicted with serious illnesses from being marginalized. However,as the beneficiaries often suffer from serious,complicated and lasting illnesses,the financial assistance is often insignificant in relation to medical expenses. Furthermore,the MFA plays no significant role in restoring a patient's income-earning ability.