Health Care Vouchers for the Elderly
80. We should care more about the elderly, especially their health care needs. They have made contributions to our society, and they deserve better services in return. I am pleased to announce that the Government will launch a trial scheme under which all citizens aged 70 or above will be given annually five health care vouchers worth $50 each to subsidise primary medical care services they purchase from the private sector. The vouchers can be used for services provided by western and Chinese medicine practitioners, allied health professionals and dental practitioners, as well as for preventive services such as medical examination or vaccination, and therapeutic services. Apart from giving something back to our senior citizens, this initiative enables them to choose more freely various primary medical care services in the local community and therefore reduces the waiting time. It also seeks to encourage the elderly to make good use of primary medical care services and establish a "continuum of care" relationship with family doctors, to better safeguard their health. The health care vouchers will cost some $150 million annually. The three-year trial scheme will be subject to a full review. The Secretary for Food and Health will draw up details of the scheme, which is expected to be implemented in the 2008-09 financial year.
