Starting July 1st 2008, 470,000 unemployed Beijing residents will be covered by social health insurance and will be able to claim a maximum of 70,000 Yuan in medical costs each year. Disadvantaged and handicapped residents will also be covered free of charge. People are applauding the changes.

Let's take a look at what the media has to say.

A Da Zhong Daily commentary says Beijing is setting a good example for the other cities around the nation. The new policy highlights a respect for lives as well as a respect for the quality of life. Government achievements should be measured by how well officials tailor policies to benefit the people. In this way Social health insurance will develop faster and cover more people.

A Beijing News commentary says people place health insurance as a top priority among insurance choices including unemployment and work-related injury insurance, because health problems can occur at any time in one's life; so social heath insurance should also cover migrant children, another disadvantaged group. Their parents--the migrant workers--contribute to the city and pay taxes to the city, and their children should have access to health insurance coverage.

The Beijing News continues by pointing out that health is the most fundamental of physical needs, and the right to health care is a basic right. The government is responsible for ensuring people's right to health care. Other cities are encouraged to follow Beijing, by covering more people with social health insurance.