Recent survey has shown that over 25% of Jamaica's doctors want an end to the free healthcare system that was implemented by the currently Jamaica Labour Party administration, while 88% want the system to change.

On the defensive, Health Minister Rudyard Spencer said: "We need to focus on issues such as expanding public/private partnerships having regard to the fact that most Jamaicans have traditionally preferred to access care in the private health sector, improving our system to ensure that the scarce resources are properly secured and accounted for and to strengthen accountability throughout the system".

In support of the abolition of user fees, Mr. Spencer cited a 2007 Jamaica Survey of Living Condition, which reported 34% of Jamaicans could not afford healthcare at the time. He added that this figure had likely increased after the food and oil crisis in the country, which was followed by the global financial crisis. "This situation would pose serious implications for the development agenda of the country".

Mr. Spencer said policy revision will continue, and that the Government is open for dialogue. "I have always sought to engage health workers in an open and frank manner, and I am prepared to continue this dialogue within the context of a no-user-fees regime, which this Government deems as the best policy framework within which to advance the country's human development agenda".