Medical charges in Hong Kong are affordable and the government subsidy for public sector services covers 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 suffering economic hardship, against financial burdens arising from healthcare needs.