Proposed subsidies for student abortions

A representative of the Beijing Municipal People's Congress suggested that public hospitals should either provide free abortions for students or charge nominal fees, the Beijing Morning Post reported.

The representative, named Wei Aiming, timed his proposal to coincide with the onset of winter vacation. Chen Suwen, a doctor at the Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, admitted that the number of students seeking abortion peaks every year after school holidays.

Wei said that if public hospitals can offer abortions for free or for less than 100 yuan, it will help students to avoid having to choose cheap private hospitals and the increased risk of future complications.