本文的主要目的在於分析中國大陸的高價醫療現象及其成因，兼論新醫療改革可能遇到的問題與挑戰，透過分析鄰近的新加坡及台灣的醫療制度改革之經驗，提供中國大陸未來醫療制度改革之參考。研究發現，醫療費用的快速上漲已成為中國大陸人民「不可承受之重」，進一步探究可能的成因，本文認為中國政府在醫療照顧所扮演的消極提供者角色及醫療服務提供者急欲創造收入是造成中國醫療服務昂貴的主因。從鄰近新加坡與台灣的醫療制度改革之經驗，本文認為成功的醫療改革端賴政府的投入，且健康保險的財務制度，及對醫療服務提供者的規範對醫療改革成功與否影響至鉅。

This article aims to analyze the issues relating to escalating health care costs in China. It discusses the potential problems and challenges that China may face in the future. Also, this study assesses prospective directions of the reforms of health care system in light of the experiences in Singapore and Taiwan. Numerous Chinese people find it difficult to afford basic health care. The analysis in this study indicates that two major reasons have led to the rises of health care costs. The first is the reduction of health care budget earmarked by the Chinese government prior to 2003. The other reason is that health care providers, namely hospitals and clinics in China, have made every attempt to generate revenues. The author argues that an increase in health expenditure of Chinese government and well-designed financing system for health care are vital for the success of relevant reforms. It is crucial for the Chinese government to regulate the operation and management of health care providers, in particular the payment system under the Chinese health care regime.