A&E fee faces hike amid push to prevent abuse

Emergency fees could increase at public hospitals, sources said, as Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said the government will conduct an overall review of emergency room charges of public medical services to prevent abuse.

Speaking to the media before the weekly Executive Council meeting yesterday, Lee said accident and emergency departments at public hospitals should be reserved for patients with the most urgent needs.

"Based on past experience, we noticed many people with no emergency needs also visited emergency rooms. We will review how to appropriately concentrate the services on patients in need," he said.

"Relevant government bureaus will conduct an overall review of medical services and how to prevent the abuse of emergency services so that patients in need can enjoy better service in terms of time and quality."

Lee said the government will consider the needs of underprivileged groups and the impact on various sectors during the review.

Sources said the government is considering a review of medical charges at public hospitals, which have remained unchanged for over six years since the emergency room fee was last raised from HK$100 per patient to HK$180 in 2017.

It is understood that some government officials believe the charge is far lower than the private market, which could lead to service abuse.

Society for Community Organization deputy director Sze Lai-shan said an increase in emergency fee will be a heavy burden on the grassroots, saying those with financial difficulties should be exempted.

Speaking on radio, Sze said the association does not want the government to increase public charges to increase its income.

"Emergency medical service is a basic public service for citizens with urgent needs. The government should figure out which group of people can be exempted from the medical fee hikes. Otherwise, the grassroots will suffer," she said.

"During the current economic downturn, the grassroots are already under huge pressure. There is no waiver for water fees and it is also difficult for people in need to be waived from paying medical fees."

Chinese University associate professor of economics Terence Chong Tai-leung said raising medical charges at public hospitals will not ease the government's deficit.

"Currently, the government receives around HK$10 billion in each kind of public service charge. Even if they increase such charges by half, they would only receive HK$5 billion more, which is far less than the government's HK$100 billion deficit," Chong said. "If the government can cut its expenditure by one percent annually for two years, I think the government could save around HK$40 billion."

Meanwhile, Lee said the government encourages traveler exchange with the Greater Bay Area after the Liberal Party suggested the government should introduce a departure tax for anyone leaving the SAR.

"We have received various opinions during the consultation period for the budget and we will review them. Personally, I wish Hong Kong could actively integrate into national development and the GBA development," Lee said.

wallis.wang@singtaonewscorp.com