Working Paper Series

Abstract: Hong Kong citizens enjoy a high quality of health care service. However, it mainly relies on government subsidy through public health services, particularly in hospital utilisation. After years of healthcare reform process, a new government-regulated voluntary health insurance scheme has been proposed for public consultation. In the neighbouring Taiwan and Singapore, innovative and practical healthcare financing systems have been shown to be working well for their communities. In this essay, the authors reveal that there are lessons of learning for the Hong Kong Government and community. A new department is recommended to manage the new insurance scheme to make the health care system sustainable within an ageing population. Nonetheless, people need to bear some of the responsibility because health is essentially a personal affair.