The draft lists five priorities: speeding up the establishment of a universal healthcare system, setting up a basic drug system, improving the grassroots health service network, providing equal public health service to rural and urban residents and pushing forward reform trials in state-run hospitals.

Healthcare reform debates have been going on in China for years. In 2006, the State Council, the country's Cabinet, set up a joint-working team consisting of experts from 16 departments to create a reform plan.

An official with the team told Xinhua the group had conducted numerous seminars and undertook field investigations in more than 20 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions over the past two years.

It also entrusted nine domestic and overseas organizations, including the World Health Organization, to conduct independent research. The submitted opinions were included in the draft.

In early 2007, the National Development and Reform Commission started a website, inviting public opinion on medical reform. The commission received 1,500 suggestions and 600 letters in less than six months.

In April, Premier Wen Jiabao held two symposiums in Zhongnanhai, the government headquarters in downtown Beijing, to discuss the issue with representatives from the medical field, companies, migrants and farm workers, among others.

"Healthcare reform is a tough problem worldwide," Peking University professor Li Ling said. "To mobilize the whole nation to join the debate is an unprecedented move of the Chinese government, which ensures that the decision could be made in a prudent, scientific and democratic way."

(Xinhua News Agency October 16, 2008)