Health budget request trimmed by almost a third

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Cabinet yesterday trimmed a budget request for 2013 submitted by the National Health Insurance Office (NHSO) from the Bt157.3 billion sought to Bt109.8 billion, saying that the amount could be increased after parliamentary scrutiny.

The per-head subsidy for free or low-cost treatment of Bt2,755.60 - amounting to a budget of Bt109.72 billion, should be enough, said the Cabinet, as it was similar to the rate requested and approved last year.

Another chunk of NHSO budget, on operations and management, was yesterday approved at Bt1.2 billion, trimmed from the amount requested at Bt1.672 billion. The NHSO regulates the "healthcare gold cards" that provide for free or low-cost treatment.

The NHSO has requested Bt155.67 billion for treatment costs based mainly on the per-head subsidy, as well as another Bt1.67 billion for management and administrative purpose.

-- The Nation 2012-09-13

I'd like to know the last time that the politicians who made this decision ever sought treatment in a typical public hospital. Obviously not in their recent memories or they wouldn't have reached the above conclusion.

But they don't 'trim' and 'scrutinize' budget requests for untold billions for flood management programs that are currently showing very little return on investment.

And in another topic today they are wanting to send in medical teams into flooded areas...

What happens if the hospital turns around and says "Cannot, mai mee funding! We had to release the Emergency Medical Teams last year when you slashed the budget"

Sounds like the Old Budget game is universal. Ask for 80% more than you need and hope they only cut 40% away.

Sounds like the Old Budget game is universal. Ask for 80% more than you need and hope they only cut 40% away.

You got it right.

The Thai administration and bureaucracy at the MOH eats up too much of the budget.

It's probably the voluntary 30 Baht per visit people pay now and the mandatory 30 Baht if medicines are needed. Thanks to the "30 Baht" scheme the Health budget could be cut.

BTW does it really cost 80 Baht to administer every '30 Baht visit' ?

The party of the poor needs to pay for those corporate tax cuts somehow