BJ jobless will enjoy health insurance

Even jobless citizens in Beijing will enjoy health insurance starting this month. This makes Beijing the first city to expand its health insurance plan to all citizens. The Beijing municipal government announced on Monday that health insurance for those with severe illnesses will cover out-of-work citizens, including 16- to 60-year-old men and 16- to 50-year-old women.

After paying 600 yuan each year, the insured will receive refunds of up to 60 percent of their total hospital expenses. The maximum annual refund is 70,000 yuan.

Premiums for the handicapped will be halved, and low income people will be exempt from having to pay premiums at all.