Rural–urban disparity in health care: observations from Suzhou, China

• Rural–urban disparity in health care has been observed in China. A healthcare system reform and merger of the basic insurance schemes have been taken to eliminate the disparity.
• A survey study was conducted in Suzhou to evaluate if such disparity still exists.
• The rural subjects have poorer access to and utilisation of healthcare facility and a lower insurance utilisation rate. They also have lower treatment and total medical cost.
• More effort is needed to eliminate the rural–urban disparity in health care in China.