Shanghai eliminates maternal care costs to encourage births
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Shanghai officials began offering free maternal care on Tuesday, hoping to address the city’s aging population and low birth rate.
The city government removed all out-of-pocket expenses for pregnant people, covering services from initial screenings through delivery and postnatal care. This new policy expands upon a national commitment already in place to provide free basic hospital delivery services to all citizens. The move comes as China faces demographic challenges, including a rapidly growing elderly population and declining fertility rates.
Shanghai experiences some of the most pronounced effects of these trends within the country. By removing financial barriers to maternal care, the Shanghai government aims to make it easier for people to have children. The policy intends to ease the financial burden associated with pregnancy and childbirth, potentially encouraging more births in the city. The city did not specify how it will fund the expanded maternal care program, but the initiative represents a concrete step toward addressing demographic concerns.
Officials hope the policy will help reverse declining birth rates and support a healthier population.
