The cabinet has greenlit an additional budget of nearly 6 billion baht to alleviate the financial pressures faced by healthcare units under the universal healthcare scheme. Rising costs have strained these units significantly, and the Public Health Minister, Somsak Thepsutin, made the announcement this Wednesday that the 5.92 billion baht allocated must be disbursed by the end of the fiscal year, September 30.
This funding will be sourced from the central government budget for the fiscal year, the minister explained. Approximately 1 billion baht is designated to cover the losses endured by numerous hospitals. These losses stem from providing outpatient care under the scheme at a cost higher than the capitation budget they received.
Minister Somsak further elaborated that an additional 3 billion baht would be distributed across various healthcare units. These funds aim to support a range of essential services, including family clinics, dental clinics, and physical rehabilitation clinics. Each of these units plays a critical role in maintaining the well-being of the population, and their financial stability is vital.
The remainder of the budget will be utilized to assist hospitals facing losses due to a National Health Security Office (NHSO) board decision. This decision reduced the reimbursement rate for in-patient care from 8,350 baht to 7,000 baht per admission. The reduction has placed a significant financial burden on hospitals.
A source close to the situation revealed that around 91 state-run hospitals under the universal healthcare scheme are on the brink of a severe financial crisis. The change in NHSO’s reimbursement calculation, especially the in-patient treatment rate, has hit these hospitals hard, underscoring the urgency of the approved budget.
This approval is a necessary move to stabilize the healthcare system and ensure that essential services remain accessible to all citizens. The funding will not only support service delivery but will also contribute to the ongoing development and maintenance of healthcare infrastructure.
Throwing money at the problem doesn’t fix the root issues. Will this really change anything long term?
It’s a temporary band-aid at best. What we need is systemic reform to prevent these financial crises.
Systemic reform may be necessary, but this funding is still crucial to keep the hospitals running in the short term.
What do you suggest then, Justine? It’s easy to criticize but solutions are harder to come by.
Transparency and better management of funds would be a good start. We need more oversight.
Exactly my point, AlexQ. We need ideas, not just disbursement of funds.
This funding will save countless lives. The government made the right call.
It’s a short-term fix though. Next year we’ll be facing the same issue again.
I agree but sometimes short-term fixes are necessary to buy time for more sustainable solutions.
Universal healthcare is a bottomless money pit. Why should taxpayers be burdened with this?
Because healthcare is a right, not a privilege. Everyone deserves access to medical care.
It’s not about rights; it’s about priorities. We need to balance healthcare with other societal needs.
I work at one of these hospitals and trust me, without this money, we’d be shutting down next month.
That’s dire. Maybe this will highlight how badly underfunded healthcare really is.
Absolutely. People really don’t realize how close we are to catastrophe.
Why do the bigger hospitals always get bailed out? What about smaller community clinics?
Smaller clinics are often neglected but they play a crucial role in preventive care.
True, but this budget does allocate some funds to family and dental clinics which are often smaller.
Every country struggles with healthcare funding. At least this is a step in the right direction.
A step in the right direction yes, but the path is long and winding.
This budget is a lifeline. We just have to hope it’s used wisely.
I work in healthcare finance, and these funds are critical to protect patient services.
It would be interesting to see how the funds are actually distributed and used. Transparency is key.
This should have been done years ago. Healthcare costs are only going to keep rising.
The NHSO’s decision to lower the reimbursement rates was a terrible move. Hospitals are suffering because of it.
Really? Lowering costs can be beneficial if done correctly. The problem is the execution.
This sounds like a crisis waiting to happen. More oversight and planning should have been done.
I hope this budget helps improve the quality of care and not just bail out failing hospitals.
I disagree with this. More government spending rarely solves the problem but creates more dependency.
Dependency or not, what’s the alternative? Let people suffer without basic healthcare?
No, but there needs to be a balance. Perhaps public-private partnerships could be more sustainable.
This isn’t just about money. It’s also about management and efficient use of resources.
While the funding is welcome, we need more investment in healthcare innovation and technology.
A great move by the government. This will go a long way in restoring faith in the universal healthcare system.