Hong Kong medical reform bill drags on Legislative Council backlog
Lawmakers running out of time to pass anything this term, as doctors’ anger slows down debate
With only two days left of this legislature, the controversial proposal to reform the medical watchdog failed again to make any headway in the Legislative Council, leaving two other bills behind it very likely to be shelved.
Many lawmakers believed the bills would not pass in time as more joined the filibuster of the government’s proposal to revamp the Medical Council.
They urged the government to halt the controversial proposal on the body that licenses and disciplines doctors and allow other bills to pass.
“If it was so unfortunate that the two bills were blown, the government should bear the biggest responsibility,” said medical sector lawmaker Dr Leung Ka-lau, who stalled by making quorum calls throughout the meeting.
The government has proposed adding four appointed lay members into the council, making a total of eight, expanding the council from 28 to 32 people.