Group wants equality in healthcare

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Group wants equality in healthcare
By THE NATION

 

 

Concerns that changes in health bill could endanger people’s rights to medical care

 

BANGKOK: -- HEALTH ADVOCATES are fighting for a single healthcare system that benefits all Thais equally. 

 

Rallying under the banner of the People Health Systems Movement (PHSM), the activists are battling health authorities over the National Health Security Bill that focuses on the very essence of people’s rights to medical care. 

 

“We want everyone to be entitled to the same standard of healthcare services and benefits in Thailand,” PHSM member Apiwat Kwangkeaw said yesterday. 

 

Several health groups have joined the PHSM to demand better healthcare. Lately, the PHSM has openly challenged authorities on how to amend the National Health Security Act, putting forward several demands. 

 

But the biggest demand of all, as shown yesterday, is to amend the law in a way that allows every Thai citizen to have the same healthcare benefits. 

 

At present, Thailand has three major healthcare systems: one for civil servants and their family members that covers about 5 million people; the social security scheme that covers about 10 million people, and the universal healthcare scheme that covers about 48 million.

 

Of all the systems, the scheme for civil servants and family members offers the most generous benefits. 

 

The social security scheme is mostly for company employees, many of whom are unhappy with the scheme’s services. 

 

The universal healthcare scheme covers the majority of Thais, offering most types of medical treatment for free. Initially known as the Bt30-per-medical-visit project, the scheme was introduced 15 years ago under the National Health Security Act.

 

The key health law, however, will be undergoing changes as reflected in the National Health Security Bill. 

 

However, the PHSM has reservations about the bill. PHSM members have expressed strong opposition at all four public hearings as well as at yesterday’s public-consultation session.

 

“Why don’t the law drafters remove the word ‘co-payment’ from the bill?” Nimit Tien-udom, a prominent member of the PHSM, said yesterday. 

 

He suspected the co-payment clause would endanger people’s rights to medical care and drive many towards medical bankruptcies.

 

The PHSM has recommended seven changes to the bill, including a proposal that the new law will not prevent the National Health Security Office (NHSO) from procuring some medicines and medical devices for hospitals.

 

The PHSM has also raised objections to four points in the current National Health Security Bill. 

 

The PHSM disagrees with the proposed structure of the National Health Security Board, which has long overseen the universal healthcare scheme. It is against the appointment of the permanent secretary for Public Health as the board’s vice chair. 

 

It argues that there is no sound reason to include the Public Health Ministry’s permanent secretary and his peers at the Education, Interior, and Commerce ministries on the board. 

 

The bill-drafting committee chairman, Dr Varakorn Samakoses, however, stood by the content of the bill. 

 

“Don’t think that we take sides with medical-service providers,” he said during a different forum. “My committee has drafted the law in the interest of the people.” 

 

He pointed out that “co-payment” was retained in the bill because it would benefit the poor. He said that as people who can afford it pay for medical services, more budget would be available for treatment of cash-strapped patients.

 

At the same forum, the Public Health Ministry’s permanent secretary Dr Sopon Mekthon said the bill was needed to solve several problems facing medical service providers and workers. 

 

“I weep in my heart when I see my subordinate has fallen into a coma during her efforts to help patients and due to laws she has not been entitled to any remedial actions,” he said. 

 

Varakorn, who did not join the public-consultation session yesterday, said the PHSM concerns and comments would be summarised and posted online to inform the public. “My committee will also review it and commission the King Prajadhipok’s Institute to assess the impacts from the bill,” he said. 

 

Public Health Minister Dr Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn will receive the bill along with related comments and recommendations on July 19. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30318742

 

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