Different views on the healthcare reform consultation document are welcome and discussions are not confined to the six proposed supplementary financing options, the Food & Health Bureau says.

The bureau said the Government is open-minded on the supplementary financing options. The ongoing consultation is the first part of the two-stage consultation exercise aiming to seek the views of the public and know more about their preferences in order to build a consensus on an option acceptable to the public and best-suited to the circumstances of Hong Kong.

Pending views collected and narrowing down the areas of discussion, the next stage of consultation is expected to be launched next year to discuss the details of the favourable option. The public will be consulted on issues related to the operation mode of the option, administrative structure and how to regulate before coming to a decision.

Since the consultation's launch, more than 20 briefing sessions, seminars and forums have been attended. The bureau will attend 80 sessions in the coming two months.