Maternity insurance coverage to be widened

China is planning to improve its maternity insurance system and expand coverage, according to a draft law recently reviewed by Chinese legislators.

The draft law on healthcare security was submitted for a second reading at a session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the country's top legislature, which concluded on Thursday.

The draft stipulates that individuals covered by maternity insurance are entitled to benefits for childbirth-related medical expenses as well as maternity allowances. Nonworking spouses would also have their childbirth-related medical costs covered.

It also calls for merging the maternity insurance fund with the basic medical insurance fund for employees into a single accounting system.

The provisions come as the country enhances measures to foster a birth-friendly society and ease financial burdens faced by families.

Data from the National Healthcare Security Administration shows that maternity insurance covered nearly 259.7 million people by the end of 2025, an increase of about 6.7 million from the previous year. The fund spent nearly 136 billion yuan ($18.6 billion) on benefits, including reimbursements for prenatal examinations and inpatient deliveries, as well as maternity allowances last year.

Traditionally, the system has covered individuals enrolled in the employee insurance program, excluding those under the resident insurance plan. At its annual work conference in December, the National Healthcare Security Administration said efforts would be made to extend coverage to flexible employees, migrant workers and those in new forms of employment.

Several regions, including Jiangxi, Zhejiang and Guizhou provinces, as well as Tianjin and Shanghai, have already expanded coverage to flexible workers.

China's basic medical insurance coverage rate has remained stable at 95 percent for years.

The draft law also emphasizes building a multilayered medical insurance system, supporting the development of commercial healthcare insurance, and encouraging healthcare-related charitable donations and mutual medical aid to meet diverse public needs.

To promote sustainable development, the draft proposes establishing a risk management and control mechanism for basic healthcare insurance funds, as well as a framework to maintain a medium — to long-term balance between revenue and expenditure and ensure emergency response capabilities.