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TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 1992
MR CHAU SAID THIS APPROACH HAS BROUGHT HONG KONG PEOPLE RISING STANDARDS OF LIVING AND FULL EMPLOYMENT OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME ACHIEVEMENTS WHICH THEY SHOULD NOT TAKE FOR GRANTED, OR PUT AT
RISK.
THE
THE SECRETARY SAID SOME HAVE EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER DIVERSITY OF VIEWS IN THE NEW-STYLE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, AND AT THE PROSPECT THAT THIS MAY LEAD TO MUSHROOMING PUBLIC EXPENDITURE, AND HENCE TAXES.
HE EXPLAINED THAT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT, A RANGE OF VIEWS ON THE COUNCIL IS ONLY TO BE EXPECTED. DEBATE AND HONEST DISAGREEMENT ARE HEALTHY.
"WE MUST BE CAREFUL NOT TO EXAGGERATE SUCH DIFFERENCES OF
OPINION AS EXIST.
"THE FACT IS THAT THERE IS STILL A BROAD CONSENSUS WITHIN THE COUNCIL ON WHAT HAS MADE HONG KONG SUCCESSFUL, AND A DETERMINATION ON THE PART OF THE GOVERNMENT TO KEEP BOTH EXPENDITURE AND TAXES UNDER CONTROL, MR CHAU SAID.
COMMITTEE TO REVIEW FEES AND WAIVERS
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A SPECIAL COMMITTEE WILL BE CONVENED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE TO REVIEW THE EXISTING FEE AND WAIVER ARRANGEMENTS FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE SERVICES AND TO DEVELOP A LONG-TERM FEE AND WAIVER STRATEGY.
THE COMMITTEE'S FINDINGS WILL BE INCORPORATED INTO A PAPER FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION LATER THIS YEAR.
THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID: "IT HAS BEEN MY INTENTION FOR SOME TIME ΤΟ REVIEW FEE AND WAIVER ARRANGEMENTS ACROSS HEALTH AND WELFARE SERVICES. THE NEED FOR SUCH A REVIEW HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THE PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY REPORT, THE REPORT OF THE WORKING PARTY ON PRIMARY HEALTH CARE AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE WHITE PAPER.
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MRS WONG NOTED THAT THERE HAD BEEN A SPATE OF SPECULATION ON HOSPITAL FEE INCREASES.
"LET ME GIVE AN ASSURANCE THAT NO DECISION WILL BE MADE ON A NEW FEE AND WAIVER STRATEGY UNTIL AFTER THE REVIEW AND EXTENSIVE PUBLIC CONSULTATION. AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT OF THE REVIEW WILL BE TO ENSURE PROVISION OF A PROPER SAFETY NET THROUGH A SOUND WAIVER SYSTEM," SHE SAID.
MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE ARE DRAWN FROM A CROSS-SECTION OF INTERESTS BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE GOVERNMENT. NON-GOVERNMENT MEMBERS HAVE BEEN INVITED TO SERVE IN THEIR PERSONAL CAPACITIES. THEY ARE:
/MRS PAMELA