More opinions should be solicited to ensure that the voices from the bottom of our society are heard and reflected in the country's new medical reform plan, says an article in Yangcheng Evening News. The following is an excerpt.

According to the website of Ministry of Health, the country will soon issue its long-awaited new plan on medical reform after a final round of revision.

Meanwhile, the National Development and Reform Commission revealed that the month-long public debate, that ended last month, solicited more than 35,000 pieces of suggestions.

Nonetheless, as the public continues to lodge suggestions and even criticisms through the media and Internet, the new plan should not be issued in a hurry.

After all, the 35,000 pieces of suggestions are only a small proportion compared with the assorted comments, advices and criticism that are pouring into website chatting rooms.

Opinions from the large sections of the rural population should not be ignored either. If the urban dwellers constantly feel the pinch of rising medical expenses, their rural cousins should have even more complaints.

Critics of the new draft plan say the plan was written in the form of an academic paper full of archaic terms. Hence, it is necessary that the new draft be rewritten in language much easier to be understood by ordinary people. It should also be open to wide public debate in rural areas.

(China Daily December 24, 2008)