XN000022-1985-11-28 — Page 31

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1985

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HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEME ADVOCATED

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HEALTH INSURANCE IS THE ONLY MEANS WHEREBY THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE IN HONG KONG CAN AFFORD PRIVATE MEDICAL SERVICES,

DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).

SPEAKING AT THE SECOND DAY DEBATE ON THE GOVERNOR'S ADDRESS, DR IP SAID THAT IN A LOW TAX COMMUNITY SUCH AS OURS, THE RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE HEALTH SERVICES TO THE MAJORITY OF THE SELF-SUFFICIENT ABLE-BODIED PERSONS SHOULD LIE WITH THE INDIVIDUAL HIMSELF AND PARTLY HIS EMPLOYERS RATHER THAN WITH THE GOVERNMENT.

SHE SAID HOSPITAL SERVICE WAS TOO EXPENSIVE FOR THE AVERAGE MAN ON THE STREET.

AS A RESULT, WHERE AS 90 PER CENT OF PEOPLE REQUIRING MEDICAL CLINICAL SERVICE WENT TO PRIVATE DOCTORS, 90 PER CENT OF PEOPLE REQUIRING HOSPITAL SERVICE TURNED TO THE GOVERNMENT, RESULTING IN OVERCROWD ING IN GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS, UNEVEN DISTRIBUTION OF DOCTOR TO PATIENT RATIO, AND UNDER-SUBSCRIPTION OF PRIVATE HOSPITALS, SHE SAID.

ON WAYS TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO PURCHASE MEDICAL INSURANCE DR IP SUGGESTED THE GOVERNMENT TO OFFER TAX CONCESSIONS TO BOTH THE INSURANCE COMPANIES AND THE INDIVIDUALS.

HOWEVER, SHE SAID SHE FELT NOT ALL MEDICAL INSURANCE SHOULD BE OFFERED TAX CONCESSION.

SHE PROPOSED THAT A COMMITTEE BE SET UP TO WORK OUT THE CRITERIA FOR A +BASIC STANDARD MEDICAL INSURANCE SCHEME+ WHICH WOULD BE TAX EXEMPTED.

ON THE OTHER HAND, DR IP SAID, THERE SHOULD BE SCHEMES OTHER THAN THE BASIC ONE TO COMPLEMENT IT.

+TO ENSURE THAT MEDICAL INSURANCE BENEFITS THE WELL-OFF AND THE LESS-WELL-OFF EQUALLY, THERE SHOULD BE A CEILING TO THE LEVEL OF TAX CONCESSION APPROPRIATELY AIMED TO BENEFIT THE SANDWICH CLASS, + SHE SAID.

DR IP SAID SHE BELIEVED HOSPITAL INSURANCE WOULD BE MORE SUCCESSFUL BECAUSE THE NEED TO PURCHASE INSURANCE FOR HOSPITAL SERVICES FAR EXCEEDED THAT FOR CLINIC SERVICES.

SHE SAID HOSPITAL INSURANCE WOULD BENEFIT THE GOVERNMENT BECAUSE IT WAS IN THIS AREA THAT THE GOVERNMENT SPENT MOST OF ITS MONEY.

/+I HONESTLY