Major serious illnesses will be covered by state healthcare and medical assistance in China, according to the country's new healthcare reform plan, released on Wednesday.

Eight kinds of illnesses, including children's leukemia, children's congenital heart disease and kidney disease, will be added to the system, and 12 diseases, including lung cancer, esophageal cancer and stomach cancer, will be covered by the new medical insurance and assistance plans.

Low-income patients who are critically ill, severely disabled?and?low-income seniors will also be added to the medical assistance plans, according to the reform plan.