"I'm glad to see that the price of medicine has dropped. But the fees to consult an expert have risen too sharply. The consulting fees should be set differently according to different diseases."

Li Ruixia, 76, a patient at Tongren Hospital

"After the introduction of the new policy, I haven't seen changes in the quality of doctors' services. And if I could get the chance to consult an expert, I would do so, even though I have to pay more."

Wang Rong, 54, a patient at Tongren Hospital

"My unique illness requires me to consult an expert. Now, because of the hike of the consultation fees, I have to switch from the expert I always visited to a less-expensive doctor. But I'm worried that the doctor may be less effective as he doesn't understand my condition as well as the old one."

Zhang Xinbin, 53, a patient at Chaoyang Hospital

(China Daily 02/18/2013 page4)