Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin dismissed a proposal from health experts to revisit the co-payment system of the universal healthcare policy, known as the 30-baht gold card scheme.

 

Somsak stated emphatically that he had no intention of reopening discussions about the co-payment plan.

 

“The ministry is doing its best to take care of people’s health. No changes have been made.”

 

The 69 year old minister’s comments come in response to recent concerns from a network of hospitals and medical staff. They have reported that the scheme is causing significant issues for state-owned hospitals, including increased patient visits, staff shortages, and financial deficits.

 

The network has urged the ministry to reform the scheme to ensure its financial sustainability.

 

 

 

 

Initiated by the now-dissolved Thai Rak Thai Party of Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the populist policy aims to provide equal access to medical treatment for all Thais, particularly the poor.

 

Launched in 2002, it originally required a 30-baht co-payment per visit. However, this requirement was removed a few years later, allowing cardholders to access medical treatment free of charge.

 

The public health minister expressed confidence that the government could address the network’s financial concerns, potentially by utilising the central budget, reported Bangkok Post.

 

“The amount of money missing from the co-payment system is just 2%, which is very small, and we can handle it. The scheme is being run well. Some people have criticised it despite the fact they lack the correct information.”

 

To mitigate the financial losses incurred from providing treatments, the National Health Security Office (NHSO) has requested an additional 7.1 billion baht (US$210 million).

 

By Bright Choomanee

Picture courtesy of Matichon

 

Source: The Thaiger

-- 2024-09-05

 

 

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Fat cats trying to wrong, first hand I can say this is a life line in the poor areas 

2 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The public health minister expressed confidence that the government could address the network’s financial concerns, potentially by utilising the central budget, reported Bangkok Post.

This was brought in a long time ago and was central to Thaksin's populist policies. Not to address the financial situation and pressures of this policy now, is in line with the PTP populist politics. As for taking money out of the central budget ("To mitigate the financial losses incurred from providing treatments, the National Health Security Office (NHSO) has requested an additional 7.1 billion baht (US$210 million).") I guess this is double speak for BORROW.

16 hours ago, 2008bangkok said:

Fat cats trying to wrong, first hand I can say this is a life line in the poor areas 

A life line for the poor but every "free health care scheme" has to be paid for by someone.

 

46 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

A life line for the poor but every "free health care scheme" has to be paid for by someone.

 

Yes, it's called tax!!!

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

A life line for the poor but every "free health care scheme" has to be paid for by someone.

 

The number of elderly people in my local Thai hospital is massive and many are there for simple ailments that a few baht in a chemist would solve. They actually get upset if a doctor tells them that they have the cold & should stay at home, have hot drinks and stay warm.

If the doctor doesn't prescribe them something, they feel slighted and let him/her know. Many docs just prescribe them vitamin A to get them on their way.

Maybe the small payment of the 30 baht might make them think before they make an unnecessary trip.

If something is totally free, people will abuse it.

This is the best thing that the Shinawatras have done for Thailand, no question about it.

 

 

21 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Launched in 2002, it originally required a 30-baht co-payment per visit. However, this requirement was removed a few years later, allowing cardholders to access medical treatment free of charge.

If treatment is supposed to be free now, then some hospitals are either unaware or are ignoring the change. My wife just finished a 4-shot course of rabies vaccine and paid 30 baht for each visit.

2 hours ago, 2008bangkok said:

Yes, it's called tax!!!

My missus in her original ignorance said "you're lucky, in the UK you have free health care"

and when you retire you get a pension.

I said no, I pay every month, it's called the NHS tax.

And every month I pay for my pension.

When she lived there with me for 5 years she found out all about free.

 

1 hour ago, hughrection said:

The number of elderly people in my local Thai hospital is massive and many are there for simple ailments that a few baht in a chemist would solve. They actually get upset if a doctor tells them that they have the cold & should stay at home, have hot drinks and stay warm.

If the doctor doesn't prescribe them something, they feel slighted and let him/her know. Many docs just prescribe them vitamin A to get them on their way.

Maybe the small payment of the 30 baht might make them think before they make an unnecessary trip.

If something is totally free, people will abuse it.

I don't know why patients in Thailand are not registered to a local clinic, and seen by local GP's

That should be their first point of contact and diagnosis, not a hospital.

If the doctor feels that they need to go to a hospital he can refer them to the most suitable one.

Take the ridiculous pressure and queues off of hospitals which should only be for really sick people and treatments, not people with a runny nose.

2 hours ago, hughrection said:

The number of elderly people in my local Thai hospital is massive and many are there for simple ailments that a few baht in a chemist would solve. They actually get upset if a doctor tells them that they have the cold & should stay at home, have hot drinks and stay warm.

If the doctor doesn't prescribe them something, they feel slighted and let him/her know. Many docs just prescribe them vitamin A to get them on their way.

Maybe the small payment of the 30 baht might make them think before they make an unnecessary trip.

If something is totally free, people will abuse it.

Problem is there is no free doctors they are mostly all private, which will cost the poor alot more, easier to go to the hospital and pay 30 baht than 200+ for a docs that will also try to upsell you