The historical precursors of the reforms made to the healthcare systems in China from Deng Xiaoping to Hu Jintao are presented, based on a literature review and descriptive research. A series of healthcare reforms were introduced as of the 1980s in response to different political and economic policy decisions and the introduction of market forces. Accordingly, access to healthcare, and its coverage, organization, and financing underwent changes. While under Deng and Jiang, coverage, access, and funding were reduced, under Hu Jintao, at the turn of the twenty-first century, attempts were made to expand health insurance coverage with a view to making it universal, while spending on public health was increased and reforms were made to the pharmaceutical market and public hospitals.