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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
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