China will expand national health insurance coverage for innovative drugs used to treat cancer, chronic and rare diseases, and childhood illnesses, with the goal of easing the financial burden on patients and their families, the National Healthcare Security Administration said on Friday.

The administration plans to expand the range of innovative drugs covered by commercial health insurance. It will encourage commercial insurers to step in first to cover drugs that are not included in the basic health insurance program but offer significant clinical benefits and address important medical needs.