XN000022-1995-06-01 — Page 11

9

-

Mr Michael Ho (through interpreter): Mr President, I would like to ask a question that is related to my motion debate on itemised charges for hospital fees. The Secretary for Health and Welfare said something that was rather puzzling. The Secretary said that the median household income will be used as the basis for calculation of fees for hospitals. For those who have high income, they may have to pay itemised charges. I can offer a copy of the reply to the Governor for reference. For such a way of charging, it differs very greatly from the existing practice in principal. At present the hospital maintenance fee includes everything. If in future we have itemised charges and if the median household income is to be used as the basis for calculation, then too many low income families they'll have to pay high medical fees.

Mr Governor, I know that on the part of the Government it is debating the subject behind closed doors. There will not be another public consultation exercise on the subject. So Mr Governor, how can you set the mind of LegCo Members and members of the public at ease? We know that in September, after discussion in the Branch, how can we ensure that the proposal that comes out then will not mean that even those who are poor will have to pay itemised charges? Because at present for the median household income, it is at quite a low level. Many people cannot afford expensive medical fees.

Governor: I wasn't expecting to answer a question about itemised charges this afternoon but with my customary generosity of spirit I'm delighted to take this opportunity of answering and I hope not avoiding the Honourable Gentleman's question. I would just like to commend him for his good fortune yesterday. I understand the fact that I called a meeting at Government House in the early evening meant that he won his debate rather than lost it by one vote. I'm assuming of course, I hope correctly. that the three Government Members would have voted for the Administration.

The Honourable Member has raised a serious point and we've been trying to address it in two ways. First of all, by looking at those groups which can be particularly disadvantaged financially by a regime of charges. People like the chronically ill. Secondly, we've been considering ways in which existing resources, for example, through the Samaritan Fund, can be used to alleviate the burden of charges on some people who find themselves facing unexpectedly large bills for medical treatment. In deciding on the best way forward we'll, of course, want to take account of the views expressed in the Legislative Council yesterday. We'll of course want to lake account of the views expressed outside this Chamber, for example the recent petition and we'll want to take account of the views of the Hospital Authority.