‘Mad to boost birth rate’: China allows retirees to claim prenatal exam costs, sparks mockery

China’s national health authorities have announced a new policy in Beijing that allows retired people to be reimbursed the cost of a prenatal examination, sparking widespread mockery online.On January 12, the online topic “Beijing pensioners’ prenatal check-up can be reimbursed” made a mainland social media platform’s trending list, attracting seven million views.The illuminated CCTV Headquarters in Beijing. The new policy has been introduced in the capital. Photo: Getty ImagesAccording to a public announcement by the National Healthcare Security Administration, Beijing has begun allowing prenatal check-up fee reimbursement for self-employed residents taking part in a social insurance programme and pensioners, since January 1, 2026.The new policy also increases the total reimbursement amount per person from 3,000 yuan (US$430) to 10,000 yuan (US$1,430) and allows male employees in the city to claim prenatal check-up fee reimbursement for their unemployed spouses.Online observers soon spotted the word “pensioners” in the policy and expressed shock and mockery.A pregnant woman shopping. Some people online have described the move as “mad”. Photo: Sun Yeung“Do they really think pensioners can still have babies?” said one person.