Research on Differences Between Chinese and American Healthcare Systems and Recommendations for Future Development

Jixuan Chen

doi:10.54254/2754-1169/2025.GL28301

Advances in Economics, Management and Political SciencesOpen access

Research on Differences Between Chinese and American Healthcare Systems and Recommendations for Future Development

Research Article

Open Access

Research on Differences Between Chinese and American Healthcare Systems and Recommendations for Future Development

Jixuan Chen ^1*

¹ University of Washington

^*Corresponding author: jixuac@uw.edu

Published on 22 October 2025

AEMPS Vol.232

ISSN (Print): 2754-1177

ISSN (Online): 2754-1169

ISBN (Print): 978-1-80590-471-7

ISBN (Online): 978-1-80590-472-4

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Abstract

This study compares China and the United States from a patient-centered lens: what a typical resident pay, how predictable those costs are, and how quickly care can be accessed. Using accessible official reports and policy briefs, the analysis focuses on three parts that shape everyday experience-coverage architecture, drug pricing and reimbursement, and provider payment. China combines broad social insurance with provincial risk pooling, centralized drug procurement, and DRG/DIP payment reforms that compress prices and start shifting demand toward primary care. The U.S. keeps a plural structure that supports choice and innovation, but complex benefits and plan churn can raise out-of-pocket risk; recent steps-Medicare drug price negotiation, marketplace subsidies, and moves toward site-neutral payment-aim to reduce volatility. Based on this comparison, the paper proposes three practical actions that ordinary patients can feel: (1) real-time out-of-pocket estimates at prescribing and check-in; (2) clear monthly caps for common chronic medicines; and (3) stronger team-based primary care as a stable “front door.” These options are incremental, fiscally realistic, and measurable through simple indicators such as waiting time, essential-medicine availability, and the share of households facing large medical bills.

Keywords:

China, United States, Health insurance, Drug pricing, Primary care reform.

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References

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[1]. OECD. (2023). Health at a glance 2023: OECD indicators. OECD Publishing. https: //www.oecd.org/en/publications/health-at-a-glance-2023_7a7afb35-en.html

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[4]. National Healthcare Security Administration. (2024, July 25). 2023 statistical bulletin of national healthcare security development. https: //www.nhsa.gov.cn/art/2024/7/25/art_7_13340.html

Cite this article

Chen,J. (2025). Research on Differences Between Chinese and American Healthcare Systems and Recommendations for Future Development. Advances in Economics, Management and Political Sciences,232,1-7.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

About volume

Volume title: Proceedings of ICFTBA 2025 Symposium: Financial Framework's Role in Economics and Management of Human-Centered Development

ISBN: 978-1-80590-471-7(Print) / 978-1-80590-472-4(Online)

Editor: Lukáš Vartiak, Habil. Florian Marcel Nuţă

Conference website: https://2025.icftba.org/Galati.html

Conference date: 17 October 2025

Series: Advances in Economics, Management and Political Sciences

Volume number: Vol.232

ISSN: 2754-1169(Print) / 2754-1177(Online)

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