国内英语新闻:Political advisors discuss elderly care services

BEIJING, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- China's national political advisors called for better care and proper medical services to be provided for the country's senior citizens at a meeting in Beijing on Thursday.

Members of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee have called on the government to formulate proper standards and promote the access of such services in grassroots communities, according to a statement issued after the meeting, presided over by Yu Zhengsheng, chairman of the CPPCC National Committee.

As China's population ages, elderly care integrated with health services will be a vital and a common need for senior citizens.

The political advisors also urged the government to provide better basic medicare insurance for disabled elderly in poverty.

Medicare policies need to be adjusted to suit the needs of seniors. Hospitals should also be encouraged to provide elder care services and nursing homes could be included in the medicare insurance system, the group said.

Civil Affairs Minister Li Liguo and Sun Zhigang, deputy head of National Health and Family Planning Commission, gave reports on relevant issues to the political advisors at the meeting.

Political advisors meet every two weeks to discuss current economic and social issues.