The Health Care Reform Consultation Document, titled 'Lifelong Investment in Health' was released in December 2000. The consultation document stressed the need for recreating a health care system that promotes health, provides lifelong holistic care, enhances quality of life and enables full human development. It also highlighted the importance of individual participation and responsibility in taking care of one's own health.

    The results of the consultation, as well as the Government's proposed way forward, were announced in July 2001. In general, the Government observed that there was an undisputed consensus on the need for reform among different sectors of the community. In the light of the public opinions expressed, the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau has been working closely with the Department of Health and the Hospital Authority to implement the various reform proposals in an incremental approach.

    In general, the reform initiatives centred on three main pillars of the health care system — service delivery, quality assurance and long-term financing. Some more straightforward proposals — such as the introduction of Chinese medicine in the public health care system, promotion of the family medicine approach in the general out-patient clinics, further cost containment to control the growth of medical costs, and a comprehensive review of the fee structure for the public health care system — have been implemented or are being implemented.

    For more complicated and contentious proposals, such as the introduction of a compulsory medical savings account, further in-depth studies are being conducted with a view to consulting the public again at a later date.