The Beijing Municipal Government on Tuesday pledged to provide
comprehensive assistance to victims of severe acute respiratory
syndrome (SARS) who may have difficulties paying for treatment.
According to the government's plan, SARS patients from poor
families who enjoy governmental minimum living standard subsidies
will have their medical expenses covered by the government.
Working and retired people with medical insurance will pay for SARS
treatment through their insurers. The urban unemployed will benefit
from unemployment insurance, officials said.
For those who are not included in the above-mentioned categories,
hospitals are required to offer complete treatment services, and
the fees will be selectively subsidized by the government.
According to the Beijing Health Bureau, as of the end of the day
Monday, the city had confirmed 37 SARS cases. Four of them have
died, and eight have recovered and been discharged from
hospitals.
(Xinhua News Agency April 16, 2003)
