People's choice: Secretary for Food & Health Dr York Chow says the Government is open-minded on healthcare finance options.

Secretary for Food & Health Dr York Chow says the Government has no inclination on which healthcare financing option should be adopted, adding a simple financing mechanism will benefit society as it can keep administration costs low.

Speaking at a press conference this afternoon, Dr Chow urged people to carefully consider the proposals mentioned in the consultation paper and give their views. He said the Government will summarise the views received immediately after the first stage exercise, and hopes the second stage can be launched early next year.

The secretary said the proposed healthcare reform should benefit every sector and the Government's objective is to ensure people obtain proper medical care without diminishing their quality of life.

Middle-class considered

When asked whether the middle-class will bear the greatest financial burden when the Government adopts one of the supplementary financing options, he said some of the six options are more appealing to the middle-class. He said they will benefit from the arrangements as they will have more medical options to choose from.

If Hong Kong introduces any one of the financing options he hopes the contribution rate will be no more than 5% of people's income. He believed limited-level participation can ensure the system's sustainability.

He expects it to take at least five to eight years to implement the financing arrangement after the Government and society make a decision on the issue.

He said the Hospital Authority has no plan to introduce major fee adjustments but it has not decided whether to make minor adjustments in future. However, he said healthcare-fee adjustment is not a good financing option.