How China's Long-Term Care Insurance is Changing Lives

Older folks in China are getting a boost from Long-Term Care Insurance (LTCI). This is a big deal because it affects how well they live and age. The insurance has been rolling out since 2012. It's not perfect, but it's making a difference. The impact of LTCI on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) has been studied using data from CHARLS. This data helps measure how well people are doing health-wise. The study used a method called EQ-5D-3L. It's like a report card for health. The results show that LTCI is helping, but not as much as one might hope. For those 60 and older, LTCI improves HRQoL by about 1. 5% to 2%. For those 70 and up, the improvement is a bit more, at 3. 3%. These numbers might seem small, but they matter. They show that LTCI is doing some good. The improvements come from better access to formal care, less money stress, and better mental health. However, there's a catch. The current LTCI system mostly helps people in cities. This means it's not doing much for those in rural areas. In fact, it might be making things worse for them. This is a problem because it creates a gap between urban and rural older adults. It's a reminder that insurance reforms need to be fair and reach everyone. The study used a method called difference-in-differences. This method compares groups before and after the insurance started. It's like a before-and-after snapshot. The results show that LTCI is a step in the right direction, but there's still work to do. The goal should be to help everyone, not just those in cities. It's a challenge, but it's important to think about how to make insurance reforms work for all older adults.