Replies to LegCo questions
LCQ15: Study of healthcare financing arrangements
Following is a question by the Hon Lee Wing-tat and a written reply by the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr York Chow, in the Legislative Council today (July 12):
Question:
Regarding the formulation of healthcare financing scheme, will the Government
inform this Council:
(a) of the authorities' considerations in determining when to make public the
proposals on healthcare financing;
(b) given that the authorities had undertaken in July last year that proposals
on healthcare financing would be published in about six months, but indicated
last month that such proposals would have to be announced later as more time was
needed for collecting and collating the relevant information, why the
authorities were not able to accurately estimate the time needed for collecting
information when giving the above undertaking, and whether they will consider
outsourcing the work involved; and
(c) whether the authorities will consider providing this Council with the
information obtained on the formulation of healthcare financing scheme
(including the overseas experience in healthcare financing and the findings of
the studies and researches undertaken), as well as the options considered, so
that Members of this Council and the public can understand better the
Government's work in this respect and the issue of healthcare financing?
Reply:
Madam President,
(a) We are now in the process of collecting and analysing the relevant data in
our study of healthcare financing arrangements, and carrying out detailed
calculations with regard to the different options under consideration. As the
issues involved and the calculations required are more complicated than
expected, we need more time to complete the study.
(b) The Health and Medical Development Advisory Committee (HMDAC) was
reconstituted in March last year with members drawn from professionals of
different sectors, including experts in the medical and insurance fields, and
academics as well. A discussion paper entitled "Building a Healthy Tomorrow"
setting out the future healthcare service delivery model was issued last July
for public consultation. To seek further public views on the healthcare
financing arrangements, the HMDAC set up a working group comprising
representatives from the medical, insurance, academic, social services and MPF
sectors last October.
In the course of our study, we have drawn reference from data provided by the
Hospital Authority. In addition, we have also commissioned universities and
consultancy firms in data collation and analysis. These preparatory works are
very important for us to map out our future policy and set the course of
development. In order to make our study more effective, we have also studied the
practices of other places and their experiences in developing their healthcare
financing arrangements with a view to identifying a model most suitable to Hong
Kong.
(c) We have initially studied the experiences of a number of countries and
regions in healthcare financing, and found them of great value for our
reference. When we are finished with further data collection and analysis, such
overseas information will then be collated and released for public information.
This serves to present to members of the public a broader picture of the complex
issue of healthcare financing and facilitate a more in-depth discussion.
In fact, the release of the HMDAC's consultation document in last July has
aroused some discussions in the public domain, which is indicative of an
increasingly clear understanding of the issue of healthcare financing among the
public. We are thankful to various sectors of the community, including the
health care professions, academics, medical institutions, community
organisations, the media and individuals for giving us valuable advices.
Meanwhile, we have also taken note of the views expressed in commentaries. We
believe that these views and comments, together with the feedback of the
community, will facilitate further works and pave way for an even deeper
discussion of the subject in the community upon the release of the upcoming
report.
The consultation document will be released sometime later, in which proposed
options will be analysed and put forward for public debate.
Ends/Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Issued at HKT 13:03
NNNN