The Chinese Government has pledged to establish a national basic medical and healthcare system by 2015.

To address high medical costs, the newly released highlights of the 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-15) for healthcare development says that annual medical insurance subsidies for non-working urban residents and rural residents will be raised from about 240 yuan ($38) to 360 yuan ($58) by 2015.

China has a three-tier health insurance scheme, including insurance for urban workers, non-working urbanites and rural residents.

According to the plan, under all three schemes, health insurance can cover as much as 75 percent of total in-patient care expenditures, reducing patients' out-of-pocket spending.

Furthermore, more diseases will be covered by a medical insurance program designed to provide financial aid to seriously ill patients. The program began in June 2010 and covers 20 diseases.