The Secretary for Health, Lo Chung-mau, stated today (March 29) that public healthcare charges reform is not about raising prices to cover budget deficits, but rather aims to increase coverage and reduce waste by having patients with minor conditions share some costs. He emphasized that the government's financial commitment has not diminished.
When asked if the biannual reviews imply continued price increases, Lo confirmed that reforms will continue, stating that it is not a temporary measure. The current goal is to reduce the funding rate to 90% within five years. Future steps will depend on the public's financial burden, and the process will be gradual, involving communication and practical implementation to gain public support for the reforms.
Regarding the increase in emergency room fees to HK$400, Lo mentioned this is intended to guide patients, expecting a decrease in emergency services usage by those with minor ailments. He disagreed with external criticisms that charging is morally wrong, reiterating that first and second category critically ill patients will not be charged to reflect the emergency room's intended function. Currently, about 30% of third category patients require hospitalization, while less than 10% of fourth category patients do.
Addressing concerns about the availability of doctors at night, Lo noted that over half of the fourth and fifth category patients visit emergency rooms between 8 am and 4 pm, when other medical options are available. He indicated that third category patients make up about 40% of all patients, with a service commitment to provide a diagnosis within 30 minutes. However, currently only 77% meet this standard. Reducing the number of fourth and fifth-category patients could help third-category patients receive faster care.
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