Medical charges in Hong Kong are affordable to the public, with government subsidy for public sector services representing a high level of 97 per cent of costs. Recipients of Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) have been exempted from payment of public medical charges. In addition, an enhanced medical fee waiver mechanism has been implemented to protect vulnerable groups other than CSSA recipients, including low-income patients, chronically ill patients and elderly patients in economic hardship, against financial burdens arising from healthcare needs.