Hong Kong’s public healthcare subsidy is targeted to fall from 95% to 90% within five years, Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau said. The latest reform reduced the government’s share from 97.6% to 95%, meaning patients now cover 5% of costs; the five-year target would raise their share to about 10%.
Lo said the policy would follow an ability-to-pay approach. People who can afford it may have to pay more than they do now, while those facing financial hardship could be exempted even from the HK$2.40 they might previously have had to pay.
The reform began in January 2026. Since then, the number of people reported to be receiving full medical-fee exemptions has risen from about 14,000 to 280,000, an increase of more than 20 times.
Lo also said the Hospital Authority had introduced 17 new medicines by 22 August, including some for specialist use. The reports did not give the names of the medicines, their indications or the number of patients receiving them.
The 90% figure is a five-year target rather than a completed change. The reports did not set out a detailed timetable for reaching it or explain how income thresholds and eligibility for higher charges and exemptions would be determined.