Prominent human rights lawyer Yu Kai proposes free medical care for major illnesses after calling for the abolition of the crime of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble”

On October 18, 2026, this outlet learned that recently, prominent human rights lawyer Yu Kai of Shandong Xiaolin Law Firm proposed “free medical care for major illnesses,” following his proposal to abolish the crime of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble.”

On October 14, 2026, Yu Kai submitted to the National Healthcare Security Administration a “Proposal on Establishing Free Medical Coverage for Major Illnesses and Gradually Advancing a Free Basic Medical Care System for All.” Yu previously drew widespread attention for jointly submitting a “Legislative Proposal to Abolish the Crime of Picking Quarrels and Provoking Trouble,” and paid for it by being suspended from practicing law for one year. After resuming practice in 2025, he again spoke up for people in mainland China. His commitment to carrying others’ burdens and advancing social progress in the face of risk is admirable.

The core content of his submitted “Proposal on Establishing Free Medical Coverage for Major Illnesses and Gradually Advancing a Free Basic Medical Care System for All” is as follows:

1. Core demands and current shortcomings

The proposal points directly to the fact that under the current medical insurance system, even after basic medical insurance, critical illness insurance, and medical assistance, insured people who develop serious illnesses still have to pay a substantial share of costs out of pocket, creating a risk of “falling into poverty because of illness and falling back into poverty because of illness.” It proposes that the National Healthcare Security Administration begin formulating a “free medical coverage for major illnesses” policy and advance free basic medical care for all in stages.

2. Legal basis and feasibility

Legal framework: The proposal notes that the newly passed Medical Security Law (to take effect in 2027) establishes the openness and evolutionary nature of the medical insurance system, leaving room to upgrade coverage for major illnesses. It also accords with the state’s obligations to provide benefits under the Constitution and the Basic Healthcare and Health Promotion Law.

Coordination mechanism: It proposes the principle of “supplementing, not replacing.” Free coverage for major illnesses would serve as a “third line of defense,” following basic medical insurance and critical illness insurance/large medical expense subsidies, and cover the remaining eligible out-of-pocket expenses.

Funding and beneficiaries: It proposes raising funds through multiple channels, including fiscal investment, transfers from funds, and social donations. At the outset, priority would go to people in extreme hardship, recipients of minimum living allowances, and people enrolled in basic medical insurance who are diagnosed with major illnesses; coverage would be limited to eligible expenses within the medical insurance catalog.

3. System design and strategic roadmap

Operating mechanism: Establish a direct settlement chain of “basic medical insurance → critical illness insurance/large medical expense subsidies → free medical coverage for major illnesses,” so patients do not have to pay upfront or make reimbursement trips, and rely on direct settlement for medical treatment outside their home region to eliminate regional barriers.

Three-stage goals: In the near term, focus on eliminating out-of-pocket costs for people in hardship and patients with major illnesses; in the medium term, expand the range of illnesses (such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and rare diseases) and categories of expenses; in the long term, gradually achieve “free medical care for all” on the basis of free public health services and full medical insurance coverage.

This proposal is not only a professional contribution on law and policy, but also a weighty expression of social concern. With the courage to “know that the road ahead is strewn with blades, swords, wind, and snow, yet still choose to advance fearlessly,” lawyer Yu Kai has turned his attention to vulnerable groups and urgent livelihood concerns. He puts his legal ideals into practice through his professional work and calls for warmth in the system through great compassion. This spirit of “carrying burdens for the people” is a precious force for advancing social progress, fairness, and justice. (Source: WeChat public account: Traces of Life)