Coronavirus: China’s ‘no jab, no insurance’ notice for over-60s blamed on misreading of policy
- ‘Our intentions are good,’ Kunyang town health official told Beijing-based magazine
- No such policy is in force and community officials have no right to suspend insurance benefits, local government says
Moreover, their basic medical insurance would be suspended, as would benefits such as living allowances and severe disability payouts, the state-run magazine said in its report.
The Chinese government provides basic medical insurance for both urban and rural residents, including health coverage for minors and people without jobs.
“This rule is mandatory, but our intentions are good,” the magazine quoted a staff member of the Kunyang epidemic prevention and control office as saying. “We want everyone to be healthy.”
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However, in a statement issued on Thursday, the local government of the town in eastern Zhejiang province said there was no such policy, and community officials had no right to suspend residents’ insurance benefits.
