Lots of protest against health law changes
The Thai government, which wants to implement a number of amendments to the National Health Security Act, is met with strong protests from the population. Activists believe that poor patients in particular will be the victims of the changes.
Many Thais believe that the new law no longer guarantees equal access to medical care for insured persons of the Universal Health Care UHC (the Thai health insurance fund).
A committee wants to implement a number of changes (cuts?) Now that the Thai audit office banned government costs in the reimbursement of 3.100 baht per UHC insured.
Varakorn Samakoses, chair of the committee, said last week that despite the protests, changes are continuing. Consumer organizations and patient organizations are angry about this and are organizing protests against the amendments to the law, which they believe are an erosion. For example, they fear that there will be a personal contribution for medical treatments.
The conflict is escalating because Prime Minister Prayut has deployed Article 44 of the interim constitution to break the impasse, in other words: it continues.
Source: Bangkok Post
It is an illusion to state that there is now equal access to medical care. That inequality will always remain. Money opens doors. The 30 bath scheme is one that is apparently used by many and may no longer be affordable. With relatively little tax revenue, this is not surprising. It is understandable that alternatives are being sought. Healthcare has become more expensive and premiums are rising. For the real group of people who have to live on alms, there must be a safety net for acute help and the 72-hour regulation provides for that. For the Thai there is already a reasonable basic insurance of 2850 baht per three months.
Does a safety net for acute help mean that you receive help for 72 hours and then that the plug of the artificial respiration is pulled from the socket?
In principle, Thailand is a rich country that could easily afford the care, if the money did not all end up in the pockets of the rich.
Or if the money would not be thrown away on a railway train, which will remain a ship of make-up for the distant future.
Jacques,
The 30 Baht scheme is for the poor, who do not have a fixed income. You probably mean Social Security. This is compulsory for all with a permanent job and the contribution of the insured is 5% of the monthly salary with a maximum of 750 baht per month. You can also join Social Security without a permanent position. Contribution is then about 440, - baht per month. This is intended for eg taxi drivers and small self-employed persons.
I would like to respond to corretje's comment on the article 'National Health Security'.
Now say for yourself, as a Thai person, would you like to be admitted for 72 hours in a life-threatening situation? It is of course different if you are in a life-threatening situation.
Staff.
2850 baht per 3 months up to 45 years; above 29.000 baht per year
It is always the less fortunate who suffer. In every country.