Hong Kong to introduce hospital charges, aid middle-class patients

Hong Kong plans to introduce separate charges for non-urgent medical services like lab tests and scans at public hospitals. This change aims to reform the healthcare subsidy model, which is currently deemed unsustainable due to high demand. The government currently covers nearly 98% of public healthcare costs, one of the highest rates globally. The last fee increase occurred in 2017, with recent adjustments to emergency and outpatient visit costs. The reforms will also provide more support for middle-class patients with severe illnesses who do not qualify for existing assistance, helping them manage medical expenses without selling their property.