Insurance scheme urged to aid disabled
An insurance scheme to cover people with severe disabilities who are not on welfare is urgently needed, a welfare sector lawmaker says.
Fernando Cheung Chiu-hung, deputy chairman of the Legislative Council welfare services panel, said the government had overlooked those people who had lost their ability to work because of severe disabilities and were reluctant to seek handouts.
Panel members yesterday unanimously passed a motion to call on the government to immediately create a safety net for paraplegics not on Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA).
People with varying degrees of disability who are not covered by CSSA can seek help from charities. But legislators, including democrat Fred Li Wah-ming, said the $8 million Yan Chai Tetraplegic Fund set up in September last year was not enough for paraplegics needing special equipment and care.
Dr Cheung said most developed countries had successfully set up insurance schemes for severely handicapped people.
It requires a worker to give about 1 per cent of wages, which is matched by the employer. The severely handicapped can apply to the fund for basic medical and living expenses.
'One of the advantages of an insurance scheme is that it can avoid the possible labelling effect of the CSSA because it does not impose a means test,' Dr Cheung said.
Severely handicapped people who lose their ability to work are automatically entitled to payment, regardless of their financial status.
'Under an insurance scheme, the amount of payment is more than the normal dole because the number of people eligible is very small out of the working population who make contributions.'
Deputy Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food Linda Lai Wai-ming said the government would consider the proposal.
