How to improve the fertility support policy system (Policy Q&A·What will China’s economy do in 2024)
The Central Economic Work Conference held at the end of last year proposed to "accelerate the improvement of the fertility support policy system." At present, my country's population development shows the trend characteristics of low birthrate, aging population, and regional population increase and decrease. How to speed up the improvement of the fertility support policy system and support Chinese-style modernization with high-quality population development?
Yang Wenzhuang, director of the Department of Population and Family of the National Health Commission, said that overall planning and coordination will be strengthened this year, efforts will be made to solve a number of difficulties and blockages of public concern, and efforts will be made to reduce the burden on families.
Efforts will be made to build a long-term working mechanism. Strengthen overall planning and top-level design, establish and improve leadership and coordination mechanisms; strengthen population monitoring and early warning, track and judge the fertility situation and population change trends; deepen research on major population issues, strengthen policy reserves; strengthen work supervision and dispatch, timely summarize and promote local experience and practices, and promote Form a national policy.
Accelerate the introduction of supporting support measures. In 2023, the state will increase the special additional personal income tax deduction standard for the care of infants under 3 years old from 1,000 yuan per month to 2,000 yuan per infant. More than 10 provinces are exploring the implementation of childcare subsidy systems at different levels. Beijing and Guangxi took the lead in including 16 and 9 assisted reproductive medical service items into the scope of basic medical insurance payment according to procedures. In 2024, we will continue to increase coordination efforts to promote the introduction of more policies from aspects such as improving the level of prenatal and postnatal care, improving maternity leave and benefits guarantee mechanisms, strengthening housing taxation and other support measures, strengthening the supply of high-quality educational resources, and building a maternity-friendly employment environment. Specific support measures.
Vigorously develop inclusive childcare services. In 2023, the Childcare Services Law will be included in the legislative plan of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress. The National Health Commission and others named the first batch of 33 national infant care service demonstration cities and 75 national loving child care employers. The central budget has invested 1.6 billion yuan, and the central government has invested 1.5 billion yuan in demonstration projects to support the development of inclusive childcare services to help the development of childcare. In 2024, we will continue to strive for state financial support to reduce the operating costs of childcare institutions and increase the supply of inclusive childcare services. Improve childcare support policies and standards and regulation systems, strengthen comprehensive departmental supervision, and improve the quality of childcare services. Accelerate the advancement of legislation on childcare services and ensure the development of childcare services in accordance with the law.
Create a fertility-friendly social atmosphere. At important time points such as my country's traditional festivals and World Population Day, International Day of Families, and International Day of the Girl, continue to promote a new culture of marriage and childbirth, break old habits such as grand weddings and high-priced gifts, and guide the establishment of correct views on marriage, love, and family. View, fertility view. Comprehensively carry out the construction of healthy families and cultivate happy and healthy family models.
Reporter Bai Jianfeng
"People's Daily" (Page 02, February 16, 2024)