Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the expansion and upgrade of the maternity insurance system in China, highlighting the inclusion of flexible employment workers, migrant workers, and new employment forms into the maternity insurance coverage by 2026, which will enhance access to maternity benefits [3][6]. Group 1: Maternity Insurance Coverage - The latest requirements from the National Medical Insurance Work Conference indicate that by 2026, flexible employment workers and migrant workers will be included in the maternity insurance system, allowing them to enjoy benefits such as prenatal check-ups and postpartum maternity allowances [3][6]. - As of 2024, the number of participants in maternity insurance reached 252.9952 million, an increase of 3.9638 million from the previous year, representing a growth of 1.6% [3][4]. - The total expenditure of the maternity insurance fund in 2024 was 140.293 billion yuan, marking a 19.2% increase from the previous year [3]. Group 2: Benefits and Support Measures - Maternity insurance provides two main types of benefits: reimbursement for maternity-related medical expenses and maternity allowances during maternity leave, with the average maternity allowance for insured women exceeding 26,000 yuan in 2024 [5]. - Economic measures, including maternity insurance, are among the most popular and effective support policies for childbirth, aimed at alleviating high childbirth costs and ensuring income security post-delivery [5]. Group 3: Policy Implementation and Future Plans - The National Medical Insurance Bureau is steadily expanding the coverage of maternity insurance during the 14th Five-Year Plan, with a goal of achieving nationwide implementation of policies that allow childbirth without personal expenses [6][7]. - Several provinces, including Jilin, Jiangsu, and Shandong, have already implemented policies ensuring that childbirth incurs minimal costs, with plans to extend these benefits nationwide [7]. - The article mentions that by 2025, all provinces and regions will include eligible assisted reproductive projects in the insurance coverage, and pain relief during childbirth will also be covered under basic medical insurance [7].