kevin sinclair's hong kong

Thousands of middle-class taxpayers are caught in a medical rat trap. They pay maximum income tax and buy personal medical insurance. But despite calls over the past two years by the Legislative Council's medical representative, Kwok Ka-ki, the government shows no sign of allowing the most responsible pillars of society to claim tax relief on health insurance premiums.

'It's simply unfair,' Dr Kwok says. 'They pay both ways. They are the major funders of public health and buy private insurance to adequately cover family responsibilities. They carry a double burden. They pay for themselves and they also pay for everyone else.'

Dr Kwok wants the government to encourage people to take out medical insurance.

'This would be a win-win situation,' he explains. 'Public medical services are facing a tough time for financing. Fees in public hospitals must rise. People who can afford to pay realistic fees should do so. And those who choose to buy insurance should be able to claim it on their taxes.'

Dr Kwok has arrived at a diagnosis that is 100 per cent accurate. The Hospital Authority cannot continue to provide virtually free services ($100 a day!) to a public that largely does not contribute.

People who invest in medical insurance are relieving public hospitals of a huge burden. When they go to private doctors, clinics or hospitals, they free up Hospital Authority beds and doctors. The middle class is being charged twice to see the doctor - once for their own treatment and then for somebody else. Dr Kwok is right; it's viciously unfair. 'They don't get what they feel is adequate service in the public sector so pay to go private. They need to be compensated,' Dr Kwok says.

The managing director of Bupa Health Insurance, Damien Marmion, believes Hong Kong must adopt a carrot-and-stick approach to medical services. People should pay more to be treated at Hospital Authority facilities and those who opt for private-sector health care should be encouraged by incentives.