NHSA fighting medical insurance fund fraud

The National Healthcare Security Administration said it has taken a series of measures to fight medical insurance fraud over the past five years.

In a news conference held by the State Council Information Office last week, the administration's head Hu Jinglin, said that strengthening monitoring of the medical insurance fund and maintaining its security have always been a top priority for the administration.

Since 2019, the administration has carried out 184 unannounced inspections on 384 medical institutions, Hu said.

Focusing on orthopedic, hemodialysis and cardiology departments, as well as key medicines and consumables, the administration has worked with police and health authorities to investigate fraud. In 2022, more than 7,000 suspects were detained, and more than 1 billion yuan ($140 million) was recovered.

The administration also uses intelligent monitoring and big data technology to prevent illegal use of the fund.

Guideline promotes elder care services

The general offices of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council have issued a guideline for promoting inclusive and basic elder care services for eligible seniors.

The guideline provides a "national list of basic elder care services", which local authorities are required to implement.

Among the services offered are an "advanced age subsidy" for people age 80 and above, and a subsidy for people to receive training to help them care for their older, disabled family members.

The list may be readjusted based on economic growth and financial resources, according to the guideline, which also urged governments at the provincial level to come up with their own lists to provide more specific services to local seniors.

According to an official with the Ministry of Civil Affairs, there were more than 280 million people age 60 and above in China at the end of last year, accounting for 19.8 percent of the total population.

The guideline demonstrates the importance the CPC Central Committee and the State Council attach to elder care services, and it is an important policy designed to ensure that seniors feel happy and secure, the official said.

Rescue teams brace for extreme weather

The National Fire and Rescue Administration held a virtual meeting earlier this month, asking fire and rescue teams around the country to spare no efforts in responding to floods and droughts resulting from extreme weather.

Extreme weather has been more frequent this year, leading to increased rainfall in both the northern and southern parts of the country, said the administration affiliated to the Ministry of Emergency Management.

According to the administration, serious flooding may occur in the middle and lower reaches of the Songhua and Nenjiang rivers in Northeast China, and of the Yellow River, as well as the Haihe River in North China and the valley of the Pearl River in South China.

Meanwhile, the country is also experiencing above average temperatures, with Yunnan province in particular suffering from acute drought.