Under the draft regulations released by China's State Council, the treatment and rehabilitation costs of disabled people can be paid through the medical insurance plan. [Photo: huatu.com]

China's State Council has released draft regulations to expand basic medical insurance to cover expenses for the disabled.

Under the regulations, the treatment and rehabilitation costs of disabled people can be paid through the medical insurance plan.

The head of Nankai University's social construction and management department, Guan Xinping, says this move marks a breakthrough in China's medical insurance system.

"In the future, rehabilitation will become increasingly expensive. If it is not included in the medical insurance system, rehabilitation may be too expensive for disabled people. With the new regulations, medical insurance can pay the costs, benefiting most disabled people. I think China's insurance level for the disabled is quite advanced."

In terms of costs not paid through basic medical insurance, disabled people can enjoy medical assistance according to relevant state provisions.

The draft also stipulates that children below six years old with visual and hearing disabilities can receive services include surgery, assistance devices and rehabilitation free of charge.

The latest data shows that the disabled population in China has reached 85 million, with over 50 million in need of rehabilitation.