ITEMISED medical charges came under fire yesterday from legislators and pressure groups despite the Government's claims that needy patients will be spared.
In a survey conducted by the pressure group Hong Kong Policy Review, 70 per cent of the respondents opposed the charges, which will include expenses, such as medical equipment used in surgery.
About 60 per cent of the 680 of respondents said the Government's policy of full cost-recovery was unacceptable.
On the other hand, about a third of the respondents supported a centralised medical insurance scheme or an increase in profit tax to cover the lack of resources.
The group urged the Government to reconsider the policy.
At a public meeting yesterday, legislator Michael Ho Mun-ka said itemised charges compromised the Government's commitment to health services.
