biostudies-literatureLiu KNational Social Science Foundation of China138https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC5540305biostudies-literatureUnknown16(1)<h4>Background</h4>China uses both social health insurance (SHI) programs and a medical financial assistance (MFA) program to protect the poor from illness-induced financial risks. The MFA provides a dual benefit package targeting low-income families: subsidizing these families' participation in SHI programs, and providing cash aid to protect them from catastrophic health expenditure (CHE). This study aims to investigate: (1) the association between MFA subvention for SHI enrollment and SHI enrollment; (2) the association between MFA cash aid and CHE; and (3) the association between SHI enrollment and CHE in low-income households in China.<h4>Methods</h4>Using nationally representative data from a comprehensive survey of low-income households in 2014, we construct an estimate of CHE based International journal for equity in healthIs the medical financial assistance program an effective supplement to social health insurance for low-income households in China? A cross-sectional study.PMC554030516CSH032Yang JLiu KLu CfalseIs the medical financial assistance program an effective supplement to social health insurance for low-income households in China? A cross-sectional study.<h4>Background</h4>China uses both social health insurance (SHI) programs and a medical financial assistance (MFA) program to protect the poor from illness-induced financial risks. The MFA provides a dual benefit package targeting low-income families: subsidizing these families' participation in SHI programs, and providing cash aid to protect them from catastrophic health expenditure (CHE). This study aims to investigate: (1) the association between MFA subvention for SHI enrollment and SHI enrollment; (2) the association between MFA cash aid and CHE; and (3) the association between SHI enrollment and CHE in low-income households in China.<h4>Methods</h4>Using nationally representative data from a comprehensive survey of low-income households in 2014, we construct an estimate of CHE based 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z2017 Aug2026-07-15T22:14:15.417Z2026-07-09T10:20:11.578ZS-EPMC55403052876470610.1186/s12939-017-0638-3