On July 16, 2026, CCTV News, a media outlet affiliated with China Central Television (CCTV), reported that a measure to make the individual's out-of-pocket expenses for childbirth hospitalization zero within the scope of public medical insurance coverage has spread to 28 provinces across China.

The article introduced that the outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) proposes to basically achieve "zero out-of-pocket costs" for individuals for childbirth hospitalization within the policy's scope. The National Healthcare Security Administration is guiding various regions to optimize the maternity insurance system and strengthen coverage for maternity medical expenses, and as of July 10, in 278 regions across 28 provinces (including municipalities and autonomous regions), among the medical expenses incurred by insured female workers during childbirth hospitalization, those that conform to the insurance coverage list, designated medical institutions, and payment regulations are subject to zero individual out-of-pocket costs, it reported.

Regarding this matter, Chinese netizens commented with welcoming voices such as: "Childbirth is important for families and also crucial for the nation's population. This sense of security, where medical insurance covers the entire delivery cost, is invaluable." "Previously, an ordinary family needed to prepare at least 5,000 to 6,000 yuan (approximately 120,000 to 140,000 yen) for hospitalization expenses for childbirth. This truly helps alleviate the pressure of saving before pregnancy." "Settlement procedures have also been simplified, and now many designated hospitals offer one-stop settlement upon discharge." "The fact that 28 provinces are implementing this is proof that the country truly cares about families having children."

On the other hand, there were voices questioning the policy's effectiveness, such as: "What ordinary people lack is not the cost of childbirth, but the endless cost of raising children. Have they never considered or heard why people don't want to get married or have children?" "Shifting the focus of the argument will not solve the problem." "The target is 'female employees,' but who will take care of the many unemployed women and rural women?" "Verification is needed to see if the two characters 'basic' are not just wordplay." There were also comments lamenting that their region was not among the 28 provinces: "My great Shanghai is unexpectedly excluded. They should hold a meeting and discuss it quickly." "Tianjin is really dragging its feet." (Edited and translated by Kawashiri)