Press Releases

SHWF listens to views on medical fees and charges review

        The Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr York Chow, met with legislator Mr Li Kwok-ying and a number of district councillors today (February 7) to listen to their views on the review of medical fees and charges.

 

        Dr Chow disagreed with the views that the review was initiated with the aim to increase the revenue of the Hospital Authority.  He stressed the objective of the exercise was to improve the serious imbalance between the public and private sectors. 

 

        Dr Chow told the meeting that the challenges posed by an ageing population and advancement in medical technology could not be met by endlessly injecting resources into the public health care system.

 

        A more proper remedy, he said, was to reasonably adjust the medical fees and charges, and to reposition and redistribute services between the public and private sectors. This would avert possible increase in patients' waiting time and deterioration of service quality.

 

        Currently, the public sector serves some 95% of the inpatients.  As for accident and emergency (A&E) services, some 70% were non-urgent cases.

 

        Dr Chow pointed out that the Government was heavily subsidising public health care services with an annual allocation of $30 billion, representing some 15% of total government expenditure.  He said, however, that people were footing only a small portion of the overall medical bill.

 

        Through adjustment in fees, Dr Chow hoped more people who could afford it would switch to family doctors instead of relying on the public sector, thus facilitating the development of primary care in Hong Kong.

 

        Dr Chow pointed out the existing medical waiver system was working well and would continue to help those in need. 

 

        In reviewing medical fees and charges, he said the Administration would particularly take into account the affordability of the chronically ill and inpatients with long lengths of stay, adding that a safety net was necessary to cater for their needs.

 

        The Administration is still reviewing the medical fees and charges and no concrete options and timetable have been drawn up.  Dr Chow agreed to consult members of the Legislative Council and the public when a proposal was ready.

 

        On long-term health care financing options, Dr Chow said the Administration would study the issue from a broader perspective including insurance-related issues.  He pledged he would continue to heed public views on the matter.

 

Ends/Monday, February 7, 2005

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