XN000022-1987-03-25 — Page 20

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 1987

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HOSPITAL RIGHT OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS STRESSED

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TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS SHOULD BE EQUALLY ABLE TO ENJOY THE HIGHLY SUBSIDISED SERVICES PROVIDED BY PUBLIC HOSPITALS LIKE OTHER CITIZENS, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

WINDING UP DEBATE ON THE MOTOR VEHICLES INSURANCE (THIRD PARTY RISK) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987, MR CHAMBERS SAID HE FULLY AGREED WITH DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP THAT A COST RECOVERY SCHEME SHOULD NOT BE ABANDONED SIMPLY BECAUSE OF ADMINISTRATIVE DIFFICULTIES, BUT HE THOUGHT CIVIL SERVANTS WERE QUITE RIGHT TO QUESTION THE APPROPRIATENESS OF SUCH A SCHEME IF THE ADMINISTRATIVE COST EXCEEDED THE REVENUE COLLECTED.

+ THE ADMINISTRATION HAS SPENT A GREAT DEAL OF TIME AND EFFORT IN EXPLORING VARIOUS WAYS OF INCREASING THE VIABILITY OF THE HOSPITAL EXPENSES RECOVERY SCHEME.

+HOWEVER, HE ADDED, THE MAIN ARGUMENT IN FAVOUR OF REPEALING SECTION 8 OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE IS THAT WE SEE NO JUSTIFICATION FOR REQUIRING INSURANCE COMPANIES TO MEET THE COSTS INVOLVED IN TREATING TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS IN OUR PUBLIC HOSPITALS, WHEN NO SIMILAR ARRANGEMENTS ARE MADE TO RECOVER HOSPITAL EXPENSES INCURRED IN TREATING OTHER TYPES OF

INJURIES.+

HE SAID IN HONG KONG THE COST OF OPERATING PUBLIC HOSPITALS HAD ALWAYS BEEN A CHARGE TO THE GENERAL REVENUE.

+TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS, LIKE OTHER CITIZENS WHO REQUIRE HOSPITAL SERVICES, SHOULD BE EQUALLY ABLE TO ENJOY THE HIGHLY SUBSIDISED SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE PUBLIC HOSPITALS.

+THE SPIRIT OF SECTION 8, WHICH WAS MODELLED ON A SIMILAR PROVISION IN THE UNITED KINGDOM LAW, HAS NO RELEVANCE IN THE LOCAL CONTEXT, HE ADDED.

REFERRING TO THE HON MARTIN LEE'S QUERY ON THE CORRECTNESS OF THE ADMINISTRATION'S ACTION IN SUSPENDING THE SCHEME IN 1981, MR CHAMBERS SAID HE WOULD.CERTAINLY PUT MR LEE'S POINT TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

+ BUT IT SEEMS TO ME AS A LAYMAN THAT THE DIRECTOR WAS EXERCISING GOOD JUDGEMENT IN DISCONTINUING THE SCHEME WHEN IT BECAME CLEAR THAT ITS CONTINUATION WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN A CONTINUING LOSS TO THE PUBLIC FINANCES, HE ADDED.

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