Understanding Access from a Policy Perspective: How Conceptualisations of Long-Term Care Issues (Re)shape LTC Affordability in Beijing and Shanghai

Ageing in ChinaPR China" \r "China2 is characterised by a large ageing population with unprecedented growth rate and a high risk of disabilityDisabilities" \r "Disabilities1. Since joining the “aged society” in 2000, the old-age population has grown rapidly and is projected to reach 410 million by 2036 (Zhai et al. 2016). This chapter undertakes a close examination of a key dimension of access to LTC, affordability, through the lens of policymaking in a comparative way, i.e. conceptualising LTC issues for the LTCI pilot in Beijing and Shanghai. This comparative study finds that the policy problem conceptualisations have altered LTC affordability for older people in the LTCI pilot area by defining either broader or narrower eligibility for LTCI and different levels of insurance benefits.