China Expands Insurance Coverage for Cochlear Implants

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There are over 27 million people affected by hearing loss in China, but many can’t afford surgery. By Li Xin and Li Miaoran Local governments across China are moving to incorporate cochlear implants into their public health insurance schemes, as authorities try to reduce the cost of health care for local residents. In August, the southern island province of Hainan became the latest region to extend coverage to cochlear implant surgery. In total, more than 10 provincial-level regions, such as Shanghai and the neighboring province of Zhejiang, now include the procedure in their local insurance programs, state-run Xinhua News Agency reported on Monday. The moves promise to be a game-changer for China’s Deaf community. The country has over 27 million people living with hearing loss, but many have been unable to receive cochlear implant surgery due to its prohibitively high cost. Cochlear implants are widely acknowledged to be the most effective treatment for hearing loss, but the proce ………………………………