PM Prayut assures universal health care programme will remain intact

[webfact]

PM assures universal health care programme will remain intact



BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha assured today (Tuesday) that the 30-baht universal health care, the free education, bus and train services would not be scrapped.

Regarding the universal health care, he said that the health promotion committee would see to it how the programme could be improved but he pointed out that it was impossible for the programme to cover all the 70 million population as that would require a huge amount of budget that the government could not afford.

Anyway, the prime minister said that focus on health care should be directed at prevention rather than treatment as prevention would help save costs in the long run.

He assured that the health promotion committee would take into consideration inputs from the public about how the universal health programme could be improved.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/pm-assures-universal-health-care-programme-will-remain-intact

-- Thai PBS 2016-01-06

[oneday]

"...he said that the health promotion committee would see to it how the programme could be improved..."

You can't have improvement when organizations like this "State Council" are making rulings that hospitals cannot use their budgets to pay for utilities.

[Srikcir]

"the programme to cover all the 70 million population as that would require a huge amount of budget that the government could not afford."

I agree - especially with the 7% increase in the military budget for 2016, purchase of more military hardware, 6% pay raises for civil service following 5% pay raises in 2014 and 2015, cash compensation to fishing boat owners for not fishing, expansion of government, double pay for military officers also serving in government positions, expansion of the military armed forces, etc.

The government's budget is all about taking care of the pro-military advocates. The rest of the population must learn to take care of itself!

[tbthailand]

Yeah, Khun Goh hok is at it again...

Regarding the universal health care, he said that the health promotion committee would see to it how the programme could be improved but he pointed out that it was impossible for the programme to cover all the 70 million population as that would require a huge amount of budget that the government could not afford.

So there is this item...

A former member of the National Health Security Office (NHSO) has warned that if the new proposal to restructure the national public health budget is implemented, it would be as if the nation’s healthcare scheme was scrapped.

and then the self-appointed "PM" wants to claim that the country can not pay for the 30 Bhat system if it covers 70 million Thais. That is a lie on many different levels.

First, the 30 bhat system is the least expensive of any of the healthcare paid for by the government. Second, the 30 bhat program covers around 45-50 million Thais and will never be extended to cover all Thais. Why? because, ... third, the expensive part is that millions of civil servants cost 6 times more than the people covered by the 30 bhat (UC) plan. See chart,

So naturally, the answer is to restructure the least expensive plan and leave the most expensive plan just as it is....

[tbthailand]

"the programme to cover all the 70 million population as that would require a huge amount of budget that the government could not afford."

I agree - especially with the 7% increase in the military budget for 2016, purchase of more military hardware, 6% pay raises for civil service following 5% pay raises in 2014 and 2015, cash compensation to fishing boat owners for not fishing, expansion of government, double pay for military officers also serving in government positions, expansion of the military armed forces, etc.

The government's budget is all about taking care of the pro-military advocates. The rest of the population must learn to take care of itself!

The military budget alone is essentially 2x the budget needed for the 30 Bhat healthcare ...

which would make the military budget twice as much as a "huge amount of budget that the government could not afford".

[Eric Loh]

It would solve part of the health funding problems through insurance underwriting as most health care scheme operates internationally. At least it would be possible for the social security and the civil servant schemes as they have registered members and also the most fund exhausting schemes. I may be wrong but I heard and seen nothing on insurance health schemes tailored to accordingly to the contribution of members without them paying extras.

[connda]

Yeah, Khun Goh hok is at it again...

Regarding the universal health care, he said that the health promotion committee would see to it how the programme could be improved but he pointed out that it was impossible for the programme to cover all the 70 million population as that would require a huge amount of budget that the government could not afford.

So there is this item...

A former member of the National Health Security Office (NHSO) has warned that if the new proposal to restructure the national public health budget is implemented, it would be as if the nation’s healthcare scheme was scrapped.

and then the self-appointed "PM" wants to claim that the country can not pay for the 30 Bhat system if it covers 70 million Thais. That is a lie on many different levels.

First, the 30 bhat system is the least expensive of any of the healthcare paid for by the government. Second, the 30 bhat program covers around 45-50 million Thais and will never be extended to cover all Thais. Why? because, ... third, the expensive part is that millions of civil servants cost 6 times more than the people covered by the 30 bhat (UC) plan. See chart,

So naturally, the answer is to restructure the least expensive plan and leave the most expensive plan just as it is....

Austerity is for the 'little people'. Just ask Greece. Wealth redistribution to the upper 1%, the power elite, and their minions. The masses can eat cake rice.

[elgordo38]

"the programme to cover all the 70 million population as that would require a huge amount of budget that the government could not afford."

I agree - especially with the 7% increase in the military budget for 2016, purchase of more military hardware, 6% pay raises for civil service following 5% pay raises in 2014 and 2015, cash compensation to fishing boat owners for not fishing, expansion of government, double pay for military officers also serving in government positions, expansion of the military armed forces, etc.

The government's budget is all about taking care of the pro-military advocates. The rest of the population must learn to take care of itself!

The military budget alone is essentially 2x the budget needed for the 30 Bhat healthcare ...

which would make the military budget twice as much as a "huge amount of budget that the government could not afford".

What scares me is that he keeps harping about leaving the 30 baht system alone. This type of talk is usually a harbinger of change. The escalating military budget should be chopped in half and half used for medical care. Why does Thailand needs such a large and climbing military budget? are they at war with someone?

[tbthailand]

"the programme to cover all the 70 million population as that would require a huge amount of budget that the government could not afford."

I agree - especially with the 7% increase in the military budget for 2016, purchase of more military hardware, 6% pay raises for civil service following 5% pay raises in 2014 and 2015, cash compensation to fishing boat owners for not fishing, expansion of government, double pay for military officers also serving in government positions, expansion of the military armed forces, etc.

The government's budget is all about taking care of the pro-military advocates. The rest of the population must learn to take care of itself!

The military budget alone is essentially 2x the budget needed for the 30 Bhat healthcare ...

which would make the military budget twice as much as a "huge amount of budget that the government could not afford".

What scares me is that he keeps harping about leaving the 30 baht system alone. This type of talk is usually a harbinger of change. The escalating military budget should be chopped in half and half used for medical care. Why does Thailand needs such a large and climbing military budget? are they at war with someone?

what you say is obvious to everyone.

Half of their budget would still be significantly more than they had 10 years ago.

[jayboy]

"the programme to cover all the 70 million population as that would require a huge amount of budget that the government could not afford."

I agree - especially with the 7% increase in the military budget for 2016, purchase of more military hardware, 6% pay raises for civil service following 5% pay raises in 2014 and 2015, cash compensation to fishing boat owners for not fishing, expansion of government, double pay for military officers also serving in government positions, expansion of the military armed forces, etc.

The government's budget is all about taking care of the pro-military advocates. The rest of the population must learn to take care of itself!

The military budget alone is essentially 2x the budget needed for the 30 Bhat healthcare ...

which would make the military budget twice as much as a "huge amount of budget that the government could not afford".

What scares me is that he keeps harping about leaving the 30 baht system alone. This type of talk is usually a harbinger of change. The escalating military budget should be chopped in half and half used for medical care. Why does Thailand needs such a large and climbing military budget? are they at war with someone?

The answer to your last question is yes, namely the vast majority of decent Thai people.

[rubl]

"the programme to cover all the 70 million population as that would require a huge amount of budget that the government could not afford."

I agree - especially with the 7% increase in the military budget for 2016, purchase of more military hardware, 6% pay raises for civil service following 5% pay raises in 2014 and 2015, cash compensation to fishing boat owners for not fishing, expansion of government, double pay for military officers also serving in government positions, expansion of the military armed forces, etc.

The government's budget is all about taking care of the pro-military advocates. The rest of the population must learn to take care of itself!

Absolutely and as tbthailand mentioned the government spent 46 billion Baht on the Universal Healthcare Scheme in 2009 (latests figures he could find). Imagine what we could do with the 500++ billion Baht the previous government lost somehow with their 'self-financing' rice scam. Surely with that money the current coverage could be guaranteed for another six years or so till maybe 2021.

[rubl]

"the programme to cover all the 70 million population as that would require a huge amount of budget that the government could not afford."

I agree - especially with the 7% increase in the military budget for 2016, purchase of more military hardware, 6% pay raises for civil service following 5% pay raises in 2014 and 2015, cash compensation to fishing boat owners for not fishing, expansion of government, double pay for military officers also serving in government positions, expansion of the military armed forces, etc.

The government's budget is all about taking care of the pro-military advocates. The rest of the population must learn to take care of itself!

The military budget alone is essentially 2x the budget needed for the 30 Bhat healthcare ...

which would make the military budget twice as much as a "huge amount of budget that the government could not afford".

What scares me is that he keeps harping about leaving the 30 baht system alone. This type of talk is usually a harbinger of change. The escalating military budget should be chopped in half and half used for medical care. Why does Thailand needs such a large and climbing military budget? are they at war with someone?

The answer to your last question is yes, namely the vast majority of decent Thai people.

Of course Thailand could set a Universal Example by scrapping it's military forces and simple ask other countries to help them guarantee their independence. Does the UK still go for protectorates?

[jayboy]

"the programme to cover all the 70 million population as that would require a huge amount of budget that the government could not afford."

I agree - especially with the 7% increase in the military budget for 2016, purchase of more military hardware, 6% pay raises for civil service following 5% pay raises in 2014 and 2015, cash compensation to fishing boat owners for not fishing, expansion of government, double pay for military officers also serving in government positions, expansion of the military armed forces, etc.

The government's budget is all about taking care of the pro-military advocates. The rest of the population must learn to take care of itself!

The military budget alone is essentially 2x the budget needed for the 30 Bhat healthcare ...

which would make the military budget twice as much as a "huge amount of budget that the government could not afford".

What scares me is that he keeps harping about leaving the 30 baht system alone. This type of talk is usually a harbinger of change. The escalating military budget should be chopped in half and half used for medical care. Why does Thailand needs such a large and climbing military budget? are they at war with someone?

The answer to your last question is yes, namely the vast majority of decent Thai people.

Of course Thailand could set a Universal Example by scrapping it's military forces and simple ask other countries to help them guarantee their independence. Does the UK still go for protectorates?

Are you having difficulties with comprehension? I was not suggesting the Thai army should be abolished.However it does not face any external threats and could certainly be drastically downsized.

However you appear not to understand the purpose of the Thai army which does not relate to external threats (there aren't any) but rather is much more concerned with the business interests of its absurdly overpopulated general staff - and of course the murderous repression of Thai citizens when given orders from its backers.

[rubl]

Of course Thailand could set a Universal Example by scrapping it's military forces and simple ask other countries to help them guarantee their independence. Does the UK still go for protectorates?

Are you having difficulties with comprehension? I was not suggesting the Thai army should be abolished.However it does not face any external threats and could certainly be drastically downsized.

However you appear not to understand the purpose of the Thai army which does not relate to external threats (there aren't any) but rather is much more concerned with the business interests of its absurdly overpopulated general staff - and of course the murderous repression of Thai citizens when given orders from its backers.

According to jayboy that is and a few other 'informed' foreign posters that is. The murderous repression of Thai citizens probably refers to the grenade lobbing cowards from the UDD?

Anyway, as usual the 'interests' of others prevail. How about the budget of the Ministry of Education. Single largest budget getting close to 20% of the National Budget and results most would agree appalling.

What about those 500++ billion Baht squandered away by the previous government on their 'self-financing' rice scam? Now that could have kept the Universal Healthcare Scheme going for a while.

[jayboy]

According to jayboy that is and a few other 'informed' foreign posters that is. The murderous repression of Thai citizens probably refers to the grenade lobbing cowards from the UDD?

Anyway, as usual the 'interests' of others prevail. How about the budget of the Ministry of Education. Single largest budget getting close to 20% of the National Budget and results most would agree appalling.

What about those 500++ billion Baht squandered away by the previous government on their 'self-financing' rice scam? Now that could have kept the Universal Healthcare Scheme going for a while.

Although most understand you are simply a troll and therefore not a serious participator, it's worth pointing out the Thai Army does not have the usual military role of defending the country and its territorial integrity.Those objectives exist of course but they are way way down the list of priorities.The Thai army is essentially an internal army focused on political control and is in essence a kind of bureaucracy.Its bloated 1600 generals, its brutality, its business interests and its massive corruption remain essentially unchallenged.It has constantly interfered with civilian politics and is part of the reason why democratic institutions are so weak in Thailand.It theoretically owes its loyalty to the Monarch (though in fact its main loyalty is to itself) and all other loyalties are weak or non existent - and certainly there is no deference to democratically elected governments.ThIs cancer like grip on the body politic has resulted in a situation where coups in Thailand are somehow legitimate.Even after its promoted constitutional reform and subsequent elections, the army will still dominate the country and distort democratic values.

All of the above is supported by serious scholars of Thailand and to trollishly suggest this is just a personal view is absurd.

Edited January 7, 2016 by jayboy

[ginjag]

According to jayboy that is and a few other 'informed' foreign posters that is. The murderous repression of Thai citizens probably refers to the grenade lobbing cowards from the UDD?

Anyway, as usual the 'interests' of others prevail. How about the budget of the Ministry of Education. Single largest budget getting close to 20% of the National Budget and results most would agree appalling.

What about those 500++ billion Baht squandered away by the previous government on their 'self-financing' rice scam? Now that could have kept the Universal Healthcare Scheme going for a while.

Although most understand you are simply a troll and therefore not a serious participator, it's worth pointing out the Thai Army does not have the usual military role of defending the country and its territorial integrity.Those objectives exist of course but they are way way down the list of priorities.The Thai army is essentially an internal army focused on political control and is in essence a kind of bureaucracy.Its bloated 1600 generals, its brutality, its business interests and its massive corruption remain essentially unchallenged.It has constantly interfered with civilian politics and is part of the reason why democratic institutions are so weak in Thailand.It theoretically owes its loyalty to the Monarch (though in fact its main loyalty is to itself) and all other loyalties are weak or non existent - and certainly there is no deference to democratically elected governments.ThIs cancer like grip on the body politic has resulted in a situation where coups in Thailand are somehow legitimate.Even after its promoted constitutional reform and subsequent elections, the army will still dominate the country and distort democratic values.

All of the above is supported by serious scholars of Thailand and to trollishly suggest this is just a personal view is absurd.

Reasons for all these interventions ??

this you nicely want to not speak about, Did you not understand these will always happen UNTIL some sort of norm is established.

A coup is no good when it overthrows a GOOD Government, A no good corrupt government eventually has to be got rid of---so the cycle starts again.

BUT if it suits you to look and speak bad about the intervention this time you have to be aware PTP were not governing within the law, overstepped the boundary's many times--OL'E another coup.

I wonder what would happen if the army was not strong--there would be MAYHEM here. elections here do not and never will solve anything unless reform takes place, and if it take 2 years SO WHAT. All I am hearing is the same old stuff-------ruled by the gun rubbish.

[jayboy]

According to jayboy that is and a few other 'informed' foreign posters that is. The murderous repression of Thai citizens probably refers to the grenade lobbing cowards from the UDD?

Anyway, as usual the 'interests' of others prevail. How about the budget of the Ministry of Education. Single largest budget getting close to 20% of the National Budget and results most would agree appalling.

What about those 500++ billion Baht squandered away by the previous government on their 'self-financing' rice scam? Now that could have kept the Universal Healthcare Scheme going for a while.

Although most understand you are simply a troll and therefore not a serious participator, it's worth pointing out the Thai Army does not have the usual military role of defending the country and its territorial integrity.Those objectives exist of course but they are way way down the list of priorities.The Thai army is essentially an internal army focused on political control and is in essence a kind of bureaucracy.Its bloated 1600 generals, its brutality, its business interests and its massive corruption remain essentially unchallenged.It has constantly interfered with civilian politics and is part of the reason why democratic institutions are so weak in Thailand.It theoretically owes its loyalty to the Monarch (though in fact its main loyalty is to itself) and all other loyalties are weak or non existent - and certainly there is no deference to democratically elected governments.ThIs cancer like grip on the body politic has resulted in a situation where coups in Thailand are somehow legitimate.Even after its promoted constitutional reform and subsequent elections, the army will still dominate the country and distort democratic values.

All of the above is supported by serious scholars of Thailand and to trollishly suggest this is just a personal view is absurd.

Reasons for all these interventions ??

this you nicely want to not speak about, Did you not understand these will always happen UNTIL some sort of norm is established.

A coup is no good when it overthrows a GOOD Government, A no good corrupt government eventually has to be got rid of---so the cycle starts again.

BUT if it suits you to look and speak bad about the intervention this time you have to be aware PTP were not governing within the law, overstepped the boundary's many times--OL'E another coup.

I wonder what would happen if the army was not strong--there would be MAYHEM here. elections here do not and never will solve anything unless reform takes place, and if it take 2 years SO WHAT. All I am hearing is the same old stuff-------ruled by the gun rubbish.

In cases like yours where prejudice jostles with ignorance, it is pointless to engage in discussion - particularly as the army's role in weakening democratic institutions has already been mentioned.Perhaps some silent study of the many excellent books/articles would assist your understanding.But sadly in my experience this is a process the zealots are never prepared to embark on.

[rubl]

According to jayboy that is and a few other 'informed' foreign posters that is. The murderous repression of Thai citizens probably refers to the grenade lobbing cowards from the UDD?

Anyway, as usual the 'interests' of others prevail. How about the budget of the Ministry of Education. Single largest budget getting close to 20% of the National Budget and results most would agree appalling.

What about those 500++ billion Baht squandered away by the previous government on their 'self-financing' rice scam? Now that could have kept the Universal Healthcare Scheme going for a while.

Although most understand you are simply a troll and therefore not a serious participator, it's worth pointing out the Thai Army does not have the usual military role of defending the country and its territorial integrity.Those objectives exist of course but they are way way down the list of priorities.The Thai army is essentially an internal army focused on political control and is in essence a kind of bureaucracy.Its bloated 1600 generals, its brutality, its business interests and its massive corruption remain essentially unchallenged.It has constantly interfered with civilian politics and is part of the reason why democratic institutions are so weak in Thailand.It theoretically owes its loyalty to the Monarch (though in fact its main loyalty is to itself) and all other loyalties are weak or non existent - and certainly there is no deference to democratically elected governments.ThIs cancer like grip on the body politic has resulted in a situation where coups in Thailand are somehow legitimate.Even after its promoted constitutional reform and subsequent elections, the army will still dominate the country and distort democratic values.

All of the above is supported by serious scholars of Thailand and to trollishly suggest this is just a personal view is absurd.

Well, you are trying to distract with your "'murderous repression of it's citizens" as if you're not really interested in Healthcare Schemes.

The idea of "cut the MoD budget" is the easy cop-out. Structural ideas on how to fund a 'free' Healthcare Scheme are sparse. Especially in Thailand education, proper education could surely save lives, save costs.

[rubl]

According to jayboy that is and a few other 'informed' foreign posters that is. The murderous repression of Thai citizens probably refers to the grenade lobbing cowards from the UDD?

Anyway, as usual the 'interests' of others prevail. How about the budget of the Ministry of Education. Single largest budget getting close to 20% of the National Budget and results most would agree appalling.

What about those 500++ billion Baht squandered away by the previous government on their 'self-financing' rice scam? Now that could have kept the Universal Healthcare Scheme going for a while.

Although most understand you are simply a troll and therefore not a serious participator, it's worth pointing out the Thai Army does not have the usual military role of defending the country and its territorial integrity.Those objectives exist of course but they are way way down the list of priorities.The Thai army is essentially an internal army focused on political control and is in essence a kind of bureaucracy.Its bloated 1600 generals, its brutality, its business interests and its massive corruption remain essentially unchallenged.It has constantly interfered with civilian politics and is part of the reason why democratic institutions are so weak in Thailand.It theoretically owes its loyalty to the Monarch (though in fact its main loyalty is to itself) and all other loyalties are weak or non existent - and certainly there is no deference to democratically elected governments.ThIs cancer like grip on the body politic has resulted in a situation where coups in Thailand are somehow legitimate.Even after its promoted constitutional reform and subsequent elections, the army will still dominate the country and distort democratic values.

All of the above is supported by serious scholars of Thailand and to trollishly suggest this is just a personal view is absurd.

Reasons for all these interventions ??

this you nicely want to not speak about, Did you not understand these will always happen UNTIL some sort of norm is established.

A coup is no good when it overthrows a GOOD Government, A no good corrupt government eventually has to be got rid of---so the cycle starts again.

BUT if it suits you to look and speak bad about the intervention this time you have to be aware PTP were not governing within the law, overstepped the boundary's many times--OL'E another coup.

I wonder what would happen if the army was not strong--there would be MAYHEM here. elections here do not and never will solve anything unless reform takes place, and if it take 2 years SO WHAT. All I am hearing is the same old stuff-------ruled by the gun rubbish.

In cases like yours where prejudice jostles with ignorance, it is pointless to engage in discussion - particularly as the army's role in weakening democratic institutions has already been mentioned.Perhaps some silent study of the many excellent books/articles would assist your understanding.But sadly in my experience this is a process the zealots are never prepared to embark on.

Come on jayboy, stop the attacks and the high handed paternalistic attitude. I'm not impressed by the suggestion of an all wise and knowing boy.

So, any ideas on how to structure Universal Healthcare ? Any ideas how to make a population take care of it's health as prevention is better than curing later on. Also less expensive.