Health insurance rules need change

I have witnessed many changes in the time that I have been living in China and I realize that things cannot be changed overnight.

However, I am still shocked to see that gravely ill people are not being treated in the hospitals because they do not have money.

My father-in-law had a heart condition and a brain tumor, and if I was not here to pay for his treatment, he would have died.

His health insurance company refused to pay for the treatment upfront; he had to pay first, despite the lack of funds. After the treatment he was refunded about 75 percent of the costs.

I think that my parents-in-law, who were both hard working senior mining engineers until their retirement, deserved better treatment.

I know more people are being covered by health insurance than before, but it is still far from enough - I see the misery daily on local television. Even more so, it is very difficult or even impossible for low-income families to pay for medical treatment upfront, before being reimbursed partially by their health insurance companies.

Please convince the health insurance companies to approve treatments and pay the bill directly to the hospital or at least to pay the bills on a weekly basis. It would not cost more, it only involves a different mindset.

John, a foreigner in Chongqing

via e-mail

Stationing of Games volunteers

Comment on Wang Hao's column "And the gold goes to ... volunteers" (China Daily, March 7)

I agree with the writer regarding the volunteers. I also watched the diving test event at the Water Cube and some other events at the National Indoor Stadium. The volunteers showed great professionalism in serving the visitors.

However, one of the issues I faced as a foreigner was that I could not find a volunteer at the entrance (gate) of the Olympic stadium.

It was really difficult to communicate with the security guards at the gate. It would have been better if volunteers were also stationed at the gate. Hope during the Olympics volunteers would be available at all points and not just at the venue of events.

Giri

via e-mail

Help sought in citizenship bid

I arrived in China seven years ago, a broken woman, seeking a new life. China and her people gently put me back together and helped me find a new life. I fervently desire to become a full Chinese citizen, being married to a Chinese for more than five years now and having a large family here.

I am beginning the process of renunciation of my former country's citizenship this week, and will be applying for full citizenship according to the Chinese Constitution.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I want to say that the Chinese government is well run and effective. I fully agree and support its policies, despite the fact that many outside the country fail to understand the vast improvements and regulations.

Your officials have done a wonderful job in bringing China to the forefront of the world, demonstrating how a people can help others in a humanitarian manner and bringing its own society forward. I applaud and revere China.

Walkingtreewoman, a foreigner in Beijing

via e-mail

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(China Daily 03/12/2008 page10)