Beijing will be China's first city to cover all its urban residents in the medical insurance system starting July 1.

Beijing Times reported that new regulations of medical insurance system for urban jobless residents were unveiled on Monday. A total of 470,000 jobless local residents in the city will enjoy medical insurance for severe diseases.

According to the regulations, premium medical insurance for jobless residents is 700 yuan or about US$100 per person, meanwhile the government will offer 100 yuan subsidies. Among which, residents who have the subsistence allowances and the serious disabled can enjoy free medical insurance.

The maximum claims for medical insurance is 70,000 yuan or above US$10,000 each year.

All qualified jobless residents can register for the medical insurance from June 25th to November 20th in their communities' social welfare offices.

(CRIENGLISH.com June 17, 2008)