Zhang Zhifen, deputy to the National People's Congress and president of Hangzhou Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital,
suggested that infertility treatment be included in medical insurance
During the two sessions, Zhang Zhifen, deputy to the National People's Congress and director of the Hangzhou Maternity Hospital, brought suggestions on accelerating the construction of a fertility-friendly society. She believes that the current population situation is becoming more and more severe, and urgent attention should be paid to it.
She suggested improving the public service support system, increasing the guidance on prenatal and postnatal care, and gradually reducing the cost of family care.
At the same time, she believes that the policy of including assisted reproductive programs in medical insurance should be promoted everywhere, and further calls for the inclusion of infertility treatment in medical insurance.
In response to practical problems such as the obvious decline in fertility willingness, Zhang Zhifen suggested that the public service support system should be improved.
Improve the supply of public service resources for women and children, increase guidance on prenatal and postnatal care, improve the health of newborns, strengthen maternal and infant safety management, free "two cancer" inspections for school-age women, birth defect prevention, and early childhood development.
At the same time, strengthen the propaganda of the birth policy.
Vigorously create a cultural environment conducive to childbearing, and through various channels, comprehensively publicize various preferential measures, and promote the conversion of second-child childbearing intentions into actual childbearing behaviors.
Establish an education system for adolescent reproductive health and fertility concept based on school education, and educate and guide students to establish a correct concept of marriage and love, family, and fertility.
Govern bad social customs such as bad marriage habits and sky-high betrothal gifts.
She also suggested increasing investment in inclusive childcare services, including simultaneous construction of kindergartens in newly built residential areas, and acceptance of spaces for childcare institutions for infants under 3 years old.
The cost of family upbringing is also a "stumbling block" for the willingness to give birth. Zhang Zhifen suggested to gradually reduce the cost of family upbringing, including exploring the introduction of preferential policies that are beneficial to families of childbearing age, especially those who have children again, such as improving the maternity insurance system, establishing a family allowance system, and piloting maternity subsidies. Especially in housing sales, leasing and taxation, etc.
Earlier, the Beijing Municipal Medical Insurance Bureau announced that 16 assisted reproductive technology items, including intrauterine insemination, embryo transfer, and sperm optimal treatment, will be included in the scope of medical insurance Category A reimbursement.
The new policy will be implemented this month, and Beijing has become the first city in China to include assisted reproductive technology in medical insurance.
Zhang Zhifen believes that this is a good move, which reflects the government's attitude to promote fertility and the humanistic care for infertile patients.
In addition, "From an economic point of view, patients are eager to seek children, and it may cost 20,000 to 30,000 to do it once. The more times they do it, the higher the cost. For ordinary families, it is a large expense. Including these links in medical insurance can actually It really eases their financial burden."
Zhang Zhifen believes that she hopes that other places can also promote and implement it. At the same time, she also suggests that not only assisted reproduction, but also the entire treatment of infertility should be included in the medical insurance. "Assisted reproduction is the last link. In fact, many infertility patients are A lot of money will be spent in the early examination and treatment, and the inclusion of these into medical insurance can greatly reduce the financial burden of patients and is of great help in promoting fertility.”
Text/Reporter Li Zewei